Town heroes are acclaimed at Civic Awards (From Stroud News and Journal)

Town heroes are acclaimed at Civic Awards

12:30pm Wednesday 13th April 2011 in News

THE work of some of Stroud's unsung heroes was recognised when the town's Annual Civic Awards Evening took place at the refurbished Maypole Hall in Paganhill on Monday, April 4.

In total, more than 150 years of community involvement has been given by the seven award winners.

Mayor Andy Read said: "One thing that has always made Stroud a special place is the huge number of people who are willing to give up their time to help others. It is great to celebrate this and recognise some of Stroud's unsung heroes."

During the evening, Stroud Civic Society also presented the Annual Design Award which this year went to Ecotricity and architect David Austin for the refurbishment of the former Stroud and Swindon branch office in Russell Street. The company now employs more than 200 people at its two offices in the town centre.

The awards were as follows with their nomination statements The Mayors Award for contributions to Stroud (three winners) Alan Peyton.

Alan led the organisation of a year-long programme of events to celebrate the centenary of All Saints Church in Uplands in 2010. He has been integral to church life for many decades, being in its choir since the age of seven. He is currently secretary of the parochial church council, a governor at Uplands Primary School and a trustee of the Stroud United Charities. He and his wife also got married in the church.

PSCO Gary Lynch Gary has gone way beyond what is expected of him in his job. In a few years he has become a familiar face across the town. He is always willing to help anyone, always willing to try to find a solution to a problem and always lets people know what has a happened. He is always willing to go that extra mile and is a real credit to the constabulary. He has received praise from many residents and businesses over the past year. Angela Lamond - chairman trustees Stroud Beresford Group Some charities have a high profile but some, while equally deserving, have to keep a lower profile.

It was in 1973 that the first refuge for women who had been victims of domestic violence opened in Chiswick, London.

Three years later a group of people from the Stroud valleys identified that the same sad situations were happening in the sleepy Cotswolds. The Beresford Group was formed as a charity and opened its first women’s refuge in Stroud.

In the 35 years that have followed many towns across the UK have followed Stroud and set up refuges.

Trader of the Year - Gelda Naumann of Global Organics Her nomination read: "Gelda provides a shining example of how a customer facing business should be run. She is always happy to serve her clientele and sees it as her role to try to meet their needs rather than viewing them as a source of income.

"With her partner Andy, Gelda creates a pleasant ambience by the Global Organics stall and complete strangers soon join in the friendly banter and conversation. Shopping for fruit and vegetables is no longer a mundane chore but a pleasurable experience that one looks forward to."

Young person of the year - Craig Johnson from Matthews Way, Paganhill Craig was nominated for his unpaid work with two youth groups in the Maypole Hall and the enthusiasm he puts into the clubs. This deserves recognition. He is very aware of all the regulations and issues that go with running youth groups and is obviously a very caring young man.

The youngsters are very fond of him and he is an excellent role model. Craig worked extremely hard putting on the four shows of Snow White and the Seven Aliens pantomime, gathering a solid group of helpers to help with the production.

Civic Award - The Rev Canon Barry Coker Fr Barry has served the parish of Stroud for 21 years.

For 12 years, apart from running three churches he was rural dean. He is also a Canon of Gloucester Cathedral and a member of Diocesan and Synod for several years. He is involved in or supports a number of local charities including Homestart, Sylvanus Lysons Trust, Stroud United Charities, Chaplain to Sea Cadets and served on several bodies of Stroud District Council including the local strategic partnership, Marah, Uplands Care Service.

Local children will know Fr Barry from the assemblies and ‘open the book’ initiative he does at the schools. Fr Barry is supportive of everyone in the parish and to people unconnected to the parish. He has supported the homeless in Stroud handing out food and vouchers to those in need.

He will be retiring in September with his last benefice service being September 18 at St Laurence Church.

Community Award - Lucas Schoemaker - from Highfield Road, Stroud Lucas has been actively involved in community projects and campaigns in Stroud across three decades. He was part of the campaign to save the historic buildings in Stroud High Street from demolition. His main role has been to establish Shire Training Workshops. It started off as a training project in the former British School off Slad Road before converting the abandoned former Painswick Inn at the bottom of Gloucester Street into a centre for housing, training and support for young single homeless people. STW now operates projects at several premises across the town under the name of the Five Valleys Foyer from which Lucas retired last year. Among his many other projects, Lucas was also a founder member of Stroud Commonwealth which currently operates the Social Enterprise Centre in Brickrow but previously created the building off Stroud high Street that is now home to Stroud FM as well as originally acquiring The Space as an arts centre.