YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD (JOINT WINNERS)
ISABELLA STEPHENSON
Bella (at age 9) is an active member of the Parish Church (PPT) where she leads on children’s songs and supports the congregation in any way she can. She is a member of a local Brownies group and fundraised in aid of Ukrainian refugees and earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey, raising over £800. She is a member of the Student Council at Bovey Primary School and impresses in how she goes out of her way to help and support other pupils.
ELLA COUSINS & HANNAH BLEASE
Ella and Hannah are also both awarded the Joint Winner Award in recognition of over ten years as volunteer lifeguards at Bovey Tracey Swimming Pool, where they also coach youngsters and adults in age ranges 10 to 50 on CPR and first aid in medical incidents of choking, bleeding, and asthma, plus rescue techniques in water. They also came 3rd overall in the UK’s National Lifesaving Championships in the 17-18 Ladies category, a fantastic achievement. They also help in the annual fundraising Bovey Santa dash by providing essential first aid cover which enables the event to take place.
ALSO NOMINATED FOR THE YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
BOVEY TRACEY YOUTH CAFÉ ARTWORK SHOP TEAM
A group of seven young people from the Youth Café took part in an artwork shop with a street artist to create designs for displaying on the Bovey Tracey Community Fridge. The youngsters have a strong belief in the need for a Community Fridge, and many are users of it. They recognise the role it plays in preventing food waste and undertook this artwork to raise help community awareness of it.
The youngsters involved are (left to right) Isabella White, Carly Miller, Mia Parnell, Olivia Latham, Amelie Merrett (front of photo), and (both not in the photo) Siena Stevenson, Arwen Mansfield. Also in the photo is Angie Blanche, Senior Youth Support Worker.
BETHANY AND HARRY WARD
Both have been helpful volunteers at the Hello Programme of events in Bovey Tracey for local families and young children, helping prepare the location, setting up tables and baby play areas, carrying small boxes of items needed on the day, and clearing up afterwards. They have also assisted in the kitchen with food and refreshments. Both are an inspiration to other young people by giving such support in helping these events run so smoothly.
COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD
STEPHEN LEY
Steve recently retired after a long career with Teignbridge District Council, many of these as Bovey Tracey’s Street Sweeper, coming out whatever the weather to keep the main parts of Bovey and Heathfield immaculately clean and tidy. This Award was made not only because of the professional way in which he conducted his work, but also by brightening the day of everyone he met, with his smile and friendly greetings. This is a very popular Award and reflects the high regard that all those that met Steve while going about his work have of him.
ALSO NOMINATED FOR COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD
LAURIE WIDGERY & CAROLINE WALTERS
Every Tuesday free drop-in virtual Citizens Advice sessions are held at the Methodist Hall for those seeking help from advisors about difficult personal positions they find themselves in. Laurie and Caroline volunteer to meet and greet those attending what might be a sensitive session for them and help with setting up the computer and with other technical difficulties with the video link. Providing a friendly face able to have informal chats can make attendees feel more positive in what is a stressful occasion for them. Without Laurie and Caroline volunteering, the Bovey sessions would not be able to take place, and those seeking advice would face a daunting and expensive trip to Newton Abbot. These Bovey “surgeries” have resulted in £23,000 of income gains from Government Benefits over a 9 month period.
HELEN & KEVIN ASHFORD
Both Helen and Kevin have disabilities and have set up a new facility (the Templer Way Pain Café) in the Riverside Community Centre for people with chronic illness or pain or any other disability to meet socially in a safe and non-judgemental friendly environment for a cuppa with others who understand how they all feel. Free refreshments are provided at the free meetings (no need to book) every Friday between 2 & 4 pm. Carers are also welcome. This is a new and innovative facility for Bovey Tracey which was felt very worthy of this nomination.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION AWARD
THE REPAIR CAFÉ BOVEY & HEATHFIELD
The Repair Café was set up in July 2022 by volunteers helping each other to repair household items for free. It meets on Saturdays once a month at the Methodist Hall. The nomination was made because the work done cuts carbon emissions locally by reducing waste and helps meet the aspirations of the Bovey Tracey Climate Emergency declared in 2019. The volunteers also impart repair skills to others to help prolong the life of often much-loved items.
In the photo (left to right) are Catharine Seidel, Corrine Niblett, Dave Walker, Leighton King, Louise Lee-Gammage and Anne Walker.
HONORARY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LORD OF THE MANOR OF BOVEY TRACEY
VANESSA STEER
Vanessa is awarded this position by the Town Council because of her long-term service to Bovey Tracey over 25 years, as a Trustee of the Swimming Pool Association (23 years as Secretary) while training as a lifeguard and organising the duties of over 50 volunteers plus fund raising.
In addition, she has also been on the Tracey Alms Houses committee for over 20 years (Chair for 3), which has donated over one million pounds to local charities and good causes, including Football, Cricket and Tennis clubs, Youth Café, Heritage Centre, Primary School, and Paradiso. She has also been a Trustee of the Town Trust and Samuel Crockers Trust for about 20 years (Secretary for 3) dealing with the many issues faced by the residents concerning the running of the properties.
Vanessa has provided all the above voluntary services for Bovey Tracey, much carried out efficiently in the background, and is fully deserving of this Award.
A THANK YOU FOR GIFT DONATIONS
The Town Council would like to thank the following organisations for donating gifts to Award winners and Nominees:
Home Farm Café, House of Marbles, Dolphin Hotel, Bovey Craft Festival and (indirectly) Devon Wildlife Trust.
More news
-
A Royal Visitor to Bovey Tracey
A Royal visitor to Bovey Tracey Congratulations to Stella and her team at the Community Kitchen Hub HRH The Duke of Gloucester and Mr David Fursdon, Lord Lieutenant of Devon visited Bovey Tracey on Tuesday 19th March.
Added: 21 March 2024
Bovey Tracey South West in Bloom 2024 - Inviting entries
Business Owners in Bovey Its time again to decide if you would like to enter South West in Bloom this year.
Added: 04 March 2024
20mph is Plenty - Expression of Interest to Devon County Council
A big thank you to all those who completed our online survey on 20 mph in Bovey Tracey and Heathfield.
Added: 08 February 2024
Bovey Tracey Community Awards 2024 - Nominations now being Invited
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY Bovey Tracey Town Council’s annual Community Awards aim to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of people in Bovey Tracey and Heathfield that might otherwise go unrecognised.
Added: 22 January 2024
Is 20 mph right for some of the roads of Bovey Tracey and Heathfield?
Thank you very much for the feedback we collected on this at the Nourish Festival.
Added: 23 October 2023
Bovey Tracey Wins Gold - South West in Bloom 2023
Bovey Tracey was awarded Gold in the ‘Pennant’ category at the South West in Bloom campaign 2023 and Best in Category! This is a great result for Bovey Tracey which is recognised for its community horticultural attributes.
Added: 06 October 2023
Community Awards - 2023
BOVEY TRACEY TOWN COUNCIL COMMUNITY AWARDS 2023 The council was pleased to confirm the recipients of the 2023awards announced at the Annual Town Meeting in May 2023.
Added: 07 June 2023
NOTICE OF CO-OPTION ON BOVEY TRACEY TOWN COUNCIL
Following the recent Town Council elections for Bovey Tracey, 12 Councillors were elected uncontested for the Bovey Ward.
Added: 17 May 2023
Notice of Uncontested Election - Bovey Tracey & Heathfield 2023
12 candidates are standing for 14 seats within Bovey Tracey and Heathfield for Bovey Tracey Town Council and therefore the election will be uncontested.
Added: 05 April 2023
Added: 31 March 2023
Elections 2023
An election is to be held for twelve Town Councillors for Bovey Tracey and two Town Councillors for Heathfield on Thursday 4th May 2023.
Added: 17 March 2023
Tenders Invited - Grounds Maintenance Contract - Bovey Tracey (2023 - 2025)
Tenders are invited for the maintenance of Town Council owned spaces for a two year period from January 2023 – January 2025, with a possible extension for up to a further 2 years.
Added: 08 June 2022
For older news articles please click here to view our news archive.
