Thame’s ‘unsung heroes’ rewarded

THE retiring Chair of the Thame Town Awards, has spoken of warmly of the many people of Thame who volunteer and go unrecognised.

Retiring Chair of the Thame Town Awards Pat Ruxton, with Jeannette Matelot Green

Speaking at the Thame Town Awards presentation evening last Thursday (July 10), Pat Ruxton, who has stepped down as Chair of the Panel after six years, spoke of the many people in Thame she had come across who do ‘great things very quietly’ and spoke of her pride in being part of a scheme that recognised some of these ‘unsung heroes’.

Those who received awards from the Mayor, Jeannette Matelot Green, and their citations are as follows:

Les Clanfield and Jeannette Matelot Green

Sporting Achievement – Les Canfield

Les has been a voluntary green keeper at Thame Bowls for many years, maintaining the clubs reputation as having the best green in Oxfordshire! Unfortunately, due to family commitments he is no longer able to volunteer, however, this award marks the many hours he has given voluntarily and how much he will be missed by members of the club.

Harry Parsons & Jeannette Matelot Green

Young Achiever – Harry Parsons

Harry is a student at Lord Williams’s School and has represented his peers in all aspects of school life including the school council. He has given a voice to his year group on issues such as bullying, homophobia and mental health and also supported new students as they make the transition from lower school. He also makes up half of a popular radio show on Thame’s very own Black Frog Radio – all this whilst studying for his GCSE’s.

Michael Hutt with Jeannette Matelot Green

Service with a Smile – Michael Hutt

Michael is a familiar face to most people in Thame, particularly if you have ever suffered from a cough or cold. As the pharmacist in Boots, Michael gets to meet a lot of local people, many of whom described him as helpful, knowledgeable and a friendly asset to Thame.

Voluntary Individual/Organisation

Due to the number and standard of nominations in this category the Panel decided to split the category into two and award both an individual and an organisation.

Ken Bennell with Jeannette Matelot Green

Voluntary Individual – Ken Bennell

Ken, an active member of Thame Lions for over 30 years, received an award for his outstanding length of service from the foundation at the 37th Charter Luncheon. He has worked for the Thame & District Housing Association for 6 years and, since retiring, volunteers at the Bowls Club and was recently appointed treasurer for Thame Sports Club. In 2005 he received the Melvin Jones Fellowship for Dedication to Humanitarian Services from the Lions International Foundation.

Members of Sharing Life Trust L – R: John Hulet, Phil Stratton,(Mayor in the middle) Gordon Taylor and Steve Eyre

Voluntary Organisation – Sharing Life Trust

Sharing Life is a vital organisation run by volunteers that offers numerous forms of support to people in our community. As well as providing debt counselling, family support and transport for the less mobile, Sharing Life has implemented the Food Bank, which distributes food parcels to struggling families. The Community Bank which helps combat the pitfalls of pay day loan companies. The charity also has links in East Africa and India, widening their scope of giving to enable these global communities to flourish.

After receiving his award, John Hulet told Thame.Net: “It was great to be nominated and a tribute to the support that the local community gives us.”

Nat Armstrong receives his award from the Mayor, Jeannette Matelot Green

Person of Courage – Nathanael Armstrong

At the age of 16 Nat was diagnosed with an extremely rare allergy to all proteins and sugars, dramatically restricting his diet and impacting on his health. He has undergone extensive investigations and experiments into curing his illness at the John Radcliffe, Guy’s & St Thomas and Great Ormond Street hospitals. Unfortunately, due to nature of his illness, treatment is extremely costly and so Nat and his family have set up a trust to help raise the money needed to continue his medication (www.help4nat.co.uk). Prior to his illness, Nat was a gifted county swimmer and continues to support his swimming club.

Beatrice Dobbie with Jeannette Matelot Green

Lifetime Achievement – Beatrice Dobie

Beatrice has been a lifelong resident of Thame and has devoted her life to serving the community. She was a Brownie leader for many years and continues to be an active member of the Community Hospital League of Friends. She was also instrumental in realising the new library in North Street. Others may also be more familiar with Beatrice in her role as a representative of Thame Town Council, of which she was a member for many years. Beatrice was delighted to receive the award and thanked the people of Thame for nominating her.

The Thame Town Awards were sponsored by : Arriva, Brothers, Independent Mortgage Solutions, Kubota, Parkers and Thame Chiropractic Clinic.