YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD (JOINT WINNERS)
ISABELLA STEPHENSON
Bella (at age 9) is an active member of the Parish Church (PPT) where she leads on children’s songs and supports the congregation in any way she can. She is a member of a local Brownies group and fundraised in aid of Ukrainian refugees and earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey, raising over £800. She is a member of the Student Council at Bovey Primary School and impresses in how she goes out of her way to help and support other pupils.
ELLA COUSINS & HANNAH BLEASE
Ella and Hannah are also both awarded the Joint Winner Award in recognition of over ten years as volunteer lifeguards at Bovey Tracey Swimming Pool, where they also coach youngsters and adults in age ranges 10 to 50 on CPR and first aid in medical incidents of choking, bleeding, and asthma, plus rescue techniques in water. They also came 3rd overall in the UK’s National Lifesaving Championships in the 17-18 Ladies category, a fantastic achievement. They also help in the annual fundraising Bovey Santa dash by providing essential first aid cover which enables the event to take place.
ALSO NOMINATED FOR THE YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
BOVEY TRACEY YOUTH CAFÉ ARTWORK SHOP TEAM
A group of seven young people from the Youth Café took part in an artwork shop with a street artist to create designs for displaying on the Bovey Tracey Community Fridge. The youngsters have a strong belief in the need for a Community Fridge, and many are users of it. They recognise the role it plays in preventing food waste and undertook this artwork to raise help community awareness of it.
The youngsters involved are (left to right) Isabella White, Carly Miller, Mia Parnell, Olivia Latham, Amelie Merrett (front of photo), and (both not in the photo) Siena Stevenson, Arwen Mansfield. Also in the photo is Angie Blanche, Senior Youth Support Worker.
BETHANY AND HARRY WARD
Both have been helpful volunteers at the Hello Programme of events in Bovey Tracey for local families and young children, helping prepare the location, setting up tables and baby play areas, carrying small boxes of items needed on the day, and clearing up afterwards. They have also assisted in the kitchen with food and refreshments. Both are an inspiration to other young people by giving such support in helping these events run so smoothly.
COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD
STEPHEN LEY
Steve recently retired after a long career with Teignbridge District Council, many of these as Bovey Tracey’s Street Sweeper, coming out whatever the weather to keep the main parts of Bovey and Heathfield immaculately clean and tidy. This Award was made not only because of the professional way in which he conducted his work, but also by brightening the day of everyone he met, with his smile and friendly greetings. This is a very popular Award and reflects the high regard that all those that met Steve while going about his work have of him.
ALSO NOMINATED FOR COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD
LAURIE WIDGERY & CAROLINE WALTERS
Every Tuesday free drop-in virtual Citizens Advice sessions are held at the Methodist Hall for those seeking help from advisors about difficult personal positions they find themselves in. Laurie and Caroline volunteer to meet and greet those attending what might be a sensitive session for them and help with setting up the computer and with other technical difficulties with the video link. Providing a friendly face able to have informal chats can make attendees feel more positive in what is a stressful occasion for them. Without Laurie and Caroline volunteering, the Bovey sessions would not be able to take place, and those seeking advice would face a daunting and expensive trip to Newton Abbot. These Bovey “surgeries” have resulted in £23,000 of income gains from Government Benefits over a 9 month period.
HELEN & KEVIN ASHFORD
Both Helen and Kevin have disabilities and have set up a new facility (the Templer Way Pain Café) in the Riverside Community Centre for people with chronic illness or pain or any other disability to meet socially in a safe and non-judgemental friendly environment for a cuppa with others who understand how they all feel. Free refreshments are provided at the free meetings (no need to book) every Friday between 2 & 4 pm. Carers are also welcome. This is a new and innovative facility for Bovey Tracey which was felt very worthy of this nomination.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION AWARD
THE REPAIR CAFÉ BOVEY & HEATHFIELD
The Repair Café was set up in July 2022 by volunteers helping each other to repair household items for free. It meets on Saturdays once a month at the Methodist Hall. The nomination was made because the work done cuts carbon emissions locally by reducing waste and helps meet the aspirations of the Bovey Tracey Climate Emergency declared in 2019. The volunteers also impart repair skills to others to help prolong the life of often much-loved items.
In the photo (left to right) are Catharine Seidel, Corrine Niblett, Dave Walker, Leighton King, Louise Lee-Gammage and Anne Walker.
HONORARY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LORD OF THE MANOR OF BOVEY TRACEY
VANESSA STEER
Vanessa is awarded this position by the Town Council because of her long-term service to Bovey Tracey over 25 years, as a Trustee of the Swimming Pool Association (23 years as Secretary) while training as a lifeguard and organising the duties of over 50 volunteers plus fund raising.
In addition, she has also been on the Tracey Alms Houses committee for over 20 years (Chair for 3), which has donated over one million pounds to local charities and good causes, including Football, Cricket and Tennis clubs, Youth Café, Heritage Centre, Primary School, and Paradiso. She has also been a Trustee of the Town Trust and Samuel Crockers Trust for about 20 years (Secretary for 3) dealing with the many issues faced by the residents concerning the running of the properties.
Vanessa has provided all the above voluntary services for Bovey Tracey, much carried out efficiently in the background, and is fully deserving of this Award.
A THANK YOU FOR GIFT DONATIONS
The Town Council would like to thank the following organisations for donating gifts to Award winners and Nominees:
Home Farm Café, House of Marbles, Dolphin Hotel, Bovey Craft Festival and (indirectly) Devon Wildlife Trust.
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