GARY NAISBETT-JONES & KEVIN BASTOW (BOVEY TRACEY CUBS) (Winner)
Gary and Kevin are the volunteer leaders of Bovey Tracey Cubs. During the pandemic, both have enabled the cubs programme to continue remotely without restrictions.
The children have remotely learned to cook, had virtual sleepovers, built dens, learned about the environment, seasons and wildlife, while completing their badges, and having loads of fun. The programme has made a massive difference and has enabled them to remain in contact with their friends, which has helped them with their mental health and happiness.
Gary and Kevin have given up much of their own time, while still having work and families of their own to look after. Without their efforts in planning, setting up, organising, and running the various activities, many young children across Bovey would have lost out the opportunity to be just children for an hour each week. This is the prime reason for making this nomination, so that Gary and Kevin (and the volunteer leaders) should receive recognition by the community for their valued efforts for these young people during the pandemic restrictions.
JOHN STEER & JARED WRAY (BOVEY TRACEY SWIMMING POOL)
(Runner-Up)
John and Jared were nominated because of the hard work put in by them both to open Bovey Tracey Swimming Pool in July just days after the Government announced pools could re-open. In addition to preparing the pool area, they ensured all required operating procedures were to be followed, including track & trace, cleaning rules, outdoor changing facilities, social distancing, booking and ticketing systems, all aligned with the rules set out.
There were over 6,600 swims registered while the pool was re-opened, providing a much- needed boost to those seeking a place to exercise and maintain mental health wellbeing.
LEAH COWELL (FOR BOVEY TRACEY SPAR)
(Runner-Up)
Leah and her colleagues at Spar, which operates in both Bovey Tracey and Heathfield, are nominated because of how they took the initiative as long ago as March last year to set up arrangements for enabling shielding, vulnerable and socially isolating customers in the parish to receive home deliveries of food and groceries. Spar established a team of volunteer deliverers they were able to recruit for whenever needed during daytimes or evenings. Many have said Leah and her colleagues and volunteers were a true lifeline for them, as without their service they would have been totally lost.
Leah and her colleagues at Spar have shown they are a true asset to the town.
MIKE STONE (BOVEY TRACEY PTA)
(Runner-Up)
Mike is Chair of the Bovey Tracey Parent Teacher Association. He is instrumental in raising much needed funds for the Primary School. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 rules and lockdowns have restricted Mike’s ability to carry this on as normal, with big events and the Summer Fayre not being possible.
Mike is an avid quizmaster, and during lockdown he has off his own back organised 25 or so online Zoom quizzes for people in our locality to take part in. The quizzes have raised £2,000, which has been shared out between the school (£1,500) and the swimming pool (£500).
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