27 November 2007
Recognition for their contribution to the Wealden community
Five Wealden residents received public recognition and thanks for their dedicated voluntary work at a Civic Reception organised by the Chairman of Wealden District Council, Councillor Chantal Wilson.
“All five have freely and selflessly given up their own time to contribute to their own communities, and their
achievements have enriched the lives of everyone in Wealden,” said Cllr Wilson.
As well as four Civic Awards, Cllr Wilson presented the first Chairman’s Environment Award. The recipient was Mrs Ann Hillman from Hailsham; who, with her late husband Jim, had worked tirelessly for 20 years to protect Barn Owls.
“Everyone recognises that our beautiful environment is a huge asset, but it is severely threatened by modern life,” said Cllr Wilson. “It gives me great pleasure to recognise these unsung heroes who have worked tirelessly to protect these beautiful birds that had been declining with alarming rapidity.”
The Hillmans have made, installed and monitored over 100 nest boxes resulting in the successful rearing of many owlets.
Civic Awards were presented to Mrs Susie Kemp of Forest Row, Dr Peter Steel of Groombridge, Mr Terry Moon of Crowborough and Mrs Virginia Shankland of Chelwood Gate.
Mrs Kemp has been promoting an anti-litter campaign in Forest Row and is encouraging the village to become plastic- bag-free. A parish councillor, and a member of the Youth Centre Management Committee, she also tends public garden areas and helps keep the village attractive and well-signposted for visitors.
Dr Steel has offered an old-fashioned, much-valued, 24 hours a day medical service to Groombridge for some 40 years and he still offers a locum service. He is also a serving member of the Abbeyfield Home in Groombridge, a church warden, president of the Groombridge Horticultural Society, and former chairman of the school governors. Together with his wife, Rosamund, he has edited and distributed the village magazine for 40 years.
As honorary treasurer for the Friends of Crowborough Hospital for the past 20 years, Mr Terry Moon has made a crucial difference to the support the Friends have been able to provide. He largely orchestrated the appeal which raised £1.5million for the redevelopment of the hospital. As well as running the hospital shop and Friends’ transport service, he also drives the minibuses and cleans them. Mr Moon is also chairman of the First Crowborough Scout Group.
Mrs Virginia Shankland started a nursery school in Chelwood Gate village hall 34 years ago to meet a need in the village which was never going to be provided any other way. She has run this school voluntarily ever since, and was congratulated by the chairman on an amazing record of long term commitment.
This year’s Civic Awards were presented at a reception held at the East Sussex National Resort Hotel, Uckfield.
