Thatcham Town Council celebrates Community Awards 2023

Thatcham has honoured its community heroes in a ceremony hosted by the mayor.

Mayor of Thatcham Jeff Brooks presented this year's Community Awards to 10 recipients on March 23.

The awards recognise individuals, groups and businesses who have demonstrated outstanding community service.

Community Contributor Awards were presented a number of dedicated individuals.

One award went to the volunteer-run ABC to Read, which supports at least 30 children each week with their literacy.

Jeff Tolley also received the award in recognition of more than 20 years service as assistant parade marshall for Remembrance Sunday. A member of Thatcham Royal British Legion, it was noted that Mr Tolley's ethos of total professionalism has been second to none.

Also recognised was Karen Reeves, a leading member of West Berks Action for Refugees. The judges noted that she has done extraordinary work helping the asylum seekers who have been accommodated at the Regency Park Hotel in recent months, making an enormous difference to their lives.

The Lifetime Community Award was presented to Esther Lewis in acknowledgement of her contribution to Thatcham's Girlguiding community and United Reformed Church, starting as a guide herself.

In 1981, she became a leader in training at 2nd Thatcham Guides and recently took on the role of district president for Guiding.

The Lifetime Community Award was presented to Joyce Lovelock in recognition of her contribution to Thatcham as a Royal British Legion poppy seller for more than 50 years.

She has also supported her elderly neighbours by helping with their shopping for at least 30 years, representing the best of "being a good neighbour".

Robert Tayton also received a Lifetime Community Award as a long term trustee of the Newbury and Thatcham Hospital Building Trust, the private element of The West Berkshire Community Hospital PPP.

He has played a key part in the development of the hospital, most notably as secretary of the Rosemary Appeal, which raised £5 million to build the dialysis unit and cancer unit.

The Inspiring Young Person Award was presented to Bethany Kew in recognition of her contribution to Thatcham's Girlguiding community.

Bethany is a young leader at 7th Thatcham Brownies, joining at age five, becoming the first in her guide unit to receive her gold award. She now volunteers as a young leader.

Another Inspiring Young Person Award went to Kat Wright in recognition of her contribution to St John Ambulance Cadets. Kat has been with St John Cadets since 2017, completing the Grand Prior award — the highest honour for cadets.

Currently a sergeant, she has contributed more than 200 hours of service at various events, raising £3,700 for the local community.

The Environmental Champion Award was presented to Jenny Kirby in recognition of her dedication to improving Thatcham's environmental status.

Mrs Kirby and her husband set up Thatcham Refillable almost five years ago in response to the growing issues of pollution and plastic waste.

She is also an active member of the town council's environmental working party and part of the West Berkshire sustainable community committee, working towards achieving a plastic free status for Newbury and Thatcham.

A second Environmental Champion Award went to Thatcham Litter Pickers in acknowledgement of their dedication to improving Thatcham's environmental status, removing an estimated 100 bags of rubbish and recycling each year.

What started off as a one time event in 2018 soon became a monthly community litter pick, attended by up to 30 volunteers every month between March and November.

An Environmental Champion Award was also presented to VIAN Group in response to their dedication to improving Thatcham's environmental status.

Bahman Shirbagi has been in the UK for almost a year now and wanted the opportunity to give something back to Thatcham. His group has now risen to 20 members, who can be seen in their hi-vis jackets collecting litter all over Thatcham.

Rain or shine, little had stopped them from collecting more than 150 full sacks of rubbish since they began in December.

They have also helped Thatcham Town Council to clear buildings, volunteered at Thatcham Family Fun Day and the Christmas lights switch-on event, "always responding with enthusiasm and positivity".