13 12 Nailsworth Celebrating the work of volunteers Nailsworth Town Council has revolutionised the way it reports to the Town. It merged the Town Meeting with the MayorÕs Reception to produce an event which would be inclusive to all. It intended to be a dynamic presentation to the Town and in large measure this was achieved. The first Town Meeting under the new format was a complete success and we believe it to be an absolute Triumph. There were 30 local organisations represented, and each had a stall displaying the work that they offer to Nailsworth. With one exception these were all groups run by volunteers. The whole event celebrated the work of volunteers in our community, and to recognise the most exceptional examples of that work, the Mayor presented awards, with the assistance of Pete Reed OBE. Ò . . . an event which would be inclusive to all, and intended to be dynamic in the way the people of the Town experienced it.Ó There was quite a buzz in the room, and many members of the public attended, though it would have been gratifying to see more there. At times there were almost as many members of the public as volunteers. People talked to each other in a way that has not happened before at such meetings. Refreshments were provided throughout the evening and members of the Guides served canapes. It is perhaps an indication of the nature of the event that one of the Guides (Lilia Kayani photo above) turned out to be an award winner. Nailsworth Town Council Report The Mayor, Cllr Jonathan Duckworth, started the proceedings by announcing that the Town Crier, Tony Evans, was now in his 25th year of service and invited the meeting to show their appreciation. The Mayor then spoke to the Town Council Annual Report, outlining that the main aims of the Town Council in the last year. This had been to review staffing and administration, make the Town Council more accessible to the public, and overhaul the finances of the Council. These had been achieved. Copies of the Report are available from the Town Hall and Town Information Centre and also the Town Council website www.nailsworthtowncouncil.gov.uk where you can also see a timelapse video of the event. Well worth a look. Nailsworth Town Meeting 24th April NailsworthÕs Young Persons Award The winner of this award is Lilia Kayani, who has been raising money for conservation and community work in Borneo. Lilia has held many fund-raising events, including Christmas Fairs, a Barn Dance, Discos and a Easter Trail hunt. The fund-raising target was £4,500 and she has now raised most of that target for work in Borneo. Lilia is a member of Girl Guiding Nailsworth Valley District, and her work has been part of their outreach work in Borneo. Pete Reed OBE Ð NailsworthÕs Olympian Pete (right) attended the meeting, with his medals, and presented the MayorÕs Awards to the recipients. He also announced that after discussion with the Mayor, a new award was being set up. Pete wants to put something back into Nailsworth, which has supported him so strongly through his own sporting endeavours, and gave him such a wonderful childhood. He said there was something special about Nailsworth. The new award is for somebody whose life has changed dramatically through sport. This is not about achieving excellence, but about people achieving something through sport. Nominations will be sought from residents of Nailsworth for the next Town Meeting in 2018. Chamberlain Trophy for Sporting Excellence The winner of the Trophy for this year was Phil Butterworth of Forest Green Rovers who runs their Youth Ambassadors Scheme. Youngsters are our future and by setting up a scheme, that brought many young people into contact with our senior football club, Phil is helping to ensure that the future is bright for Sport in our community. Phil has worked tirelessly to promote excellent sport, and getting schoolsÕ involvement by arranging for Team Stars to visit them. One of these Ambassadors (Elsie Heslop) writes on Sport for Nailsworth News. The award was collected on PhilÕs behalf by Dane Vince. MayorÕs Awards Every Year the Mayor makes awards to local people who have made exceptional contributions to the life of our community. This is based on nominations from members of the public and our Town Councillors. The awards are to publicly recognise the work of people and groups in Nailsworth. There are four different awards as shown here. Nailsworth Festival Arts Award The winners of this yearÕs award are the WI (WomenÕs Institute) and all those who have contributed to the yarn-bombing Poppies on the War Memorial. The person who instigated this project was Sue Wales, and she collected the award on behalf of the WI. What caught the MayorÕs imagination here is the way a simple idea could be carried out in the community and then put together to make a very striking and moving impact. They have plans for a more ambitious project with the poppies. Nailsworth Silver Jubilee Shield The winner of the Shield this year is Suki Samra of Lawnside Stores, Forest Green. Many nominations came in for Suki, noting small random acts of kindness for local people going through a hard time, fundraising challenges such as the 5 Valleys Walk for Meningitis, distributing Nailsworth News, and supporting the Youth Club. Perhaps more widely known for cooking - producing meals for fund-raising events and generally having an outstanding attitude to the community. Communities are so much stronger because of people like Suki.