Celebrating the Pride of East Dorset

By mbarber

WOMEN almost swept the board in East Dorset District Council's Pride of East Dorset Awards last week.

There were six prizes and just one man went home with a coveted trophy.

The awards - formerly the Community Service Awards - are sponsored by Blackmore Vale Media Ltd, East Dorset Home and Neighbourhood Watches, Mitie Engineering Maintenance Ltd, Dorset Police, East Dorset Housing Association, Drewlec Electrical Services and Colten Care Ltd.

Opening the proceedings, Councillor Ray Dudman, chairman of EDDC, said: "These are the 16th awards which recognise the unsung heroes in our community."

Guest of honour was the High Sheriff of Dorset, John Raymond, in his last week of office.

An amusing speaker, he explained his role saying: "I know you think I look like a giant velvet mole."

He went on to explain that there has been a High Sheriff in the county for over 1,000 years.

"We're blessed to live in Dorset, and I am much moved by the work of the volunteers here tonight as without them many of our services would not exist."

Nominees

Green & Glorious

Sheila Bourton has campaigned for many years to keep the Green Belt areas around Wimborne safe from over development through her Keep Wimborne Green Campaign.

Nicky Marchant, a teacher of year 5 at Allenbourn Middle School, has been instrumental in spreading and maintaining good environmental practice.

Allenbourn became the first school in East Dorset to stage a Zero Waste Lunch competition.

Lynne Vipond has single-handedly braved the traffic and the weather to attack several years' growth of weeds on the landscaped roundabout at Sturminster Marshall.

Local Champion

Sheila Clark has worked at Corfe Mullen Youth & Community Centre since 1983. She is also a member of the East Dorset Youth Council.

Adrian Falck was nominated for his work as a volunteer leader of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award unit at Ferndown.

Liz Gardiner has retired from her nursing career, having served East Dorset since 1990. She developed REACT, the multidisciplinary intermediate care team within East Dorset from health and social services.

Steve Hunt is the chairman of West Moors Youth Club and the Skate Park Group. He is currently overseeing the improvements to the Youth Centre.

Brian Russell has suffered from some serious health problems and was referred to the Wagtails Swimming Group in Wimborne as part of his rehabilitation programme. He gradually became more and more involved in the group and as his health improved, he was able to take over as chairman.

Rod Slip is the chairman of the Multiple Sclerosis Branch based at the Osborne Centre in West Parley.

He is also a carer to his wife who suffers from MS.

Lady Priscilla Stewart-Paul and dog Bessie from Caring Canines visit the Verwood Opportunities Centre.

Making the Community a Better Place

David de Mattos

is the chairman of the Vale of Allen Rural Association in Witchampton which has developed a new community shop with café and meeting space in the village.

East Dorset Health Walkers is made up of 30 people who lead walks in Verwood, Wimborne and at Moors Valley Country Park.

John Hare-Brown has been part of Wimborne in Bloom for the last few years and is one of the most active members of the committee, with his wife also being a keen supporter.

Derek Henderson founded the Friends of Colehill Library in 2002 and has been its chairman since then. He fought a six year battle to help keep it open.

Margery Ryan has organised Wimborne's annual Save the Children's Parade for the past 20 years.

She is also involved in Dial a Ride Wimborne and was one of the originators of the scheme.

Young Achiever

Natasha Wakelin, 15, is member of the St Leonard's Freedom Youth Club organising several successful events.

She is part way through her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and her work includes caring for elderly relatives and babysitting.

Alison Wright was nominated for her success in women's rugby.

Special Recognition

1st Woodcutts Scout Leaders

In the last five years, 1st Woodcutts Scout Group has grown from a handful of young people to a group of more than 75, ranging from six -18 years in age.

Friends of Victoria Hospital were nominated for the vital fundraising they do to support and develop the hospital.

Elaine Linden has worked tirelessly for St Leonards and St Ives.

She has been involved with the St. Ives pre-school, Parent Teacher Association and the Freedom Youth Club.

Jeanne Roberts, from Verwood, assists the elderly with their shopping, generally running errands and providing much needed moral support.

She works at the Heathland Heritage Centre, and has contributed to the restoration of the Memorial Hall and to the naming of the new Community Centre, The Hub.

Fiona Ward & Katrina Cutler have worked towards a new building for pre-school children at Three Legged Cross.

They are now busy organising the garden and fundraising for new equipment and furniture.

Good Neighbour

Jeanette Curtis, from Wimborne is on call 24/7 because she has a son with autistic problems. However, as well as looking after her own family she finds time to visit a neighbour three mornings a week to soak and cream his feet.

Jeanne Goode, who lives in West Moors, helps neighbours is a variety of ways. She also visits a retirement home every week to chat to the residents and help to resolve any problems

Irene Scammells cares for an elderly neighbour, day and night.

Michael Shine is a volunteer driver for the Friends of Cerebral Palsy and general assistant.

He is also chairman of the Dorset Watch Teams group and the East Dorset Crime Prevention Panel, and a member of West Moors parish council.

Report and photos by Marilyn Barber

mbarber@bvmedia.co.uk