Five residents from Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge are set to be honoured for their service to the community with Civic Awards today (Sunday).
The winners of this year’s Civic Awards will receive their accolades during the towns’ annual Civic Service this afternoon.
Pat Farrow, David Gordon, Alan & Jan Huddart, and Margaret Williams are to receive awards in St Andrew’s Church.
The winners, chosen by the Town Council, were drawn up from a list of nominees submitted by members of the public earlier this year.
Pat Farrow was nominated for her involvement with Sedgemoor Community Partnership at Morland Hall in Highbridge. Pat has been volunteering at Morland Hall for more than eight years.
Chief Petty Officer David Gordon David Gordon has been a member of Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge’s Sea Cadet unit for 35 years, first as a Cadet, then as a staff member, before attaining his present rank of Chief Petty Officer in 1998. All members of staff are unpaid volunteers and David has selflessly given up two evenings a week and most weekends over that time.
Alan and Jan Huddart are described as the backbone of the volunteers at Burnham-On-Sea’s Princess Theatre and Arts Centre. Jan coordinates the volunteer team with excellent diplomacy and skill and is a great asset. Without her ability to draw the team members in and allocate their duties so well, the theatre could not operate as well as it does. Alan is always happy to jump in at any time when there is extra help needed and is a trusted key holder in emergency situations when staff cannot attend to open the building for any reason.
Margaret Williams’ involvement with Sedgemoor Community Partnership (SCP) at Morland Hall in Highbridge is also recognised with her award. Margaret originally became involved with SCP via the Highbridge Dreamscheme which was started in the Morland Hall Annexe in early 2010 by a local police initiative in partnership with the group. She was a founder member on the committee and later became its Chair until the Police withdrew their support.
This year’s Civic Service will begin with the Mayoral party leaving the Princess Theatre at 2.50pm for a short procession to St Andrew’s Church, pictured above last year. Following the service all will return to the Princess Theatre for a tea.
During the service the Mayor’s guest of Honour, The High Sheriff of Somerset, The Honourable Edward W G Bayntun-Coward ESQ, will present Civic awards to the five. A collection will be taken in aid of the Mayor’s chosen charity, which this year will be ‘In Charley’s Memory’.
