Unsung Melton heroes honoured at Mayor's Awards evening

Community-spirited volunteers, educators and club organisers across the Melton borough were among those honoured at this year's Mayor's Awards.
Award winners and recipients with Mayor Jeanne Douglas  PHOTO: Tim WilliamsAward winners and recipients with Mayor Jeanne Douglas  PHOTO: Tim Williams
Award winners and recipients with Mayor Jeanne Douglas PHOTO: Tim Williams

The Awards of Merit, Melton Borough Award and the Young Citizen Award certificates were presented before a large audience at Brooksby Melton College’s Rural Catering Centre last night.

Catering was provided by the college, and winners and their guests were entertained by the Belvoir Big Band.

The Mayor said: “This year we had a record number of very worthy nominations and it was extremely difficult to arrive at the final four in the Award of Merit category but the members and I managed to do this in a very democratic way.

Mayor Jeanne Douglas presents Claire Lomas with her special award 
PHOTO: Paul BrownMayor Jeanne Douglas presents Claire Lomas with her special award 
PHOTO: Paul Brown
Mayor Jeanne Douglas presents Claire Lomas with her special award PHOTO: Paul Brown

“I am delighted to be able to publicly acknowledge all the winners’ fantastic achievements.”

A special Mayor’s award was given to local fundraiser and campaigner, Claire Lomas, in recognition of her perseverance and determination in overcoming adversity and how this has become an inspirational story for many people. Claire accepted her award from the Mayor in her famous bionic suit.

Jan MacDonald was presented with the Robert Hyslop Citizen of the Year Award for the most outstanding of the Award of Merit nominations in recognition of her voluntary commitment for over 30 years to the 1279 (Melton Mowbray) Squadron Air Training Corps.

The Derek Sanders Cup for the Outstanding Young Citizen Award was presented to Sam Thompson for his work as a young Scout leader helping to support young people and keeping his local rural Beaver section running.

Mayor Jeanne Douglas presents Sam Thompson with the Derek Sanders Cup for the Outstanding Young Citizen Award 
PHOTO: Paul BrownMayor Jeanne Douglas presents Sam Thompson with the Derek Sanders Cup for the Outstanding Young Citizen Award 
PHOTO: Paul Brown
Mayor Jeanne Douglas presents Sam Thompson with the Derek Sanders Cup for the Outstanding Young Citizen Award PHOTO: Paul Brown

Full list of this year’s winners: Melton Mayor’s Award of Merit - Tim Frisby, a Melton community first responder, Roger Petchey, a lead volunteer with Leicestershire Police as a CCTV operator and body cam single point of contact, Lorraine Simmonds, a club organiser at Melton Mencap and Jan MacDonald, a volunteer at the 1279 (Melton Mowbray) Squadron Air Training Corps; Melton Borough Award - the Melton community first responders; Young Citizen Award - Sam Thompson, a scout leader and Jason Blackshaw, a member of 1279 (Melton Mowbray) Squadron Air Training Corps; Robert Hyslop Citizen of the Year Award - Jan MacDonald, a volunteer at the 1279 (Melton Mowbray) Squadron Air Training Corps; Derek Sanders Cup for the Outstanding Young Citizen Award - Sam Thompson, a scout leader; and the Mayor’s Special Award - Claire Lomas.

Related topics: