Mayor’s Awards acknowledge selfless citizens of Melton borough

The Awards of Merit, Melton Borough Award and the Young Citizen Award certificates were presented before a meeting of the full council on Wednesday (April 22).

The Mayor said: “The Mayoress and I have met some remarkable people and organisations within the borough. As I come towards the end of my Mayoral year it gives me tremendous pleasure to be able to publicly recognise some fantastic individuals who’ve all shown such selfless commitment to our borough and the communities within it. I congratulate all the awardees for their contributions to the community and hope they inspire others.”

Mayor’s Award of Merit winners were:

Scout leader Allison Green who runs a Scout and Explorer Scout section as well as contributing to the district. She gives of her time to actively engage with and support young people with their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. Allison is actively involved in fundraising, supports young people in achieving new goals, taking part in adventurous activities and helping them achieve awards. She also helps the development of teamwork through the Scout movement not only in Waltham but in Melton as a whole.

Dinah Rudman (retired) is a long-standing pivotal member (secretary) of the Melton Mowbray Civic Society and its associated groups such as the heritage group and Melton & Oakham Waterways Society. She works tirelessly for the improvement of the environment and celebration of the heritage of Melton Mowbray. Dinah has made a major contribution to encouraging high standards of architecture, environment and planning in the Melton borough and the preservation, development and improvement of those features - stimulating public interest and pride in the conservation and care of the borough’s beauty, history and character. Dinah pursues these aims through various publications, other forms of publicity and practical promotion of projects and schemes and she’s actively involved in successful grant applications for environmental, historical and aesthetic improvements to the town.

Fundraising volunteer (unpaid) Leigh Pick carries out many fundraising activities for various organisations which often involves putting herself through some strenuous physical activities. She’s always looking to help others within the community by giving of her time selflessly outside her paid employment as a Melton Borough Council customer services advisor. Leigh is currently fundraising for the Three Peaks Challenge and is committed to helping people less fortunate.

Jim Pryce (retired) for greatly contributing and tirelessly looking after, maintaining and managing essential renovations of the Asfordby Parish Hall and many other projects throughout the parish which have boosted community spirit. Jim gives of his time selflessly to anyone less fortunate than himself and has been the driving force in organising a large Christmas tree in the village centre (also involving the local schools) which brought the community together. He has also contributed to the well-being of the community as a parish councillor.

The Melton Borough Award went to:

Volunteer organiser Jill Palmer for planning and arranging the band concerts during the summer months in the New Park section of Play Close. Jill gives of her time freely to undertake all the work involved in booking the bands, preparing the programme and arranging printing and distribution for all the concerts. She attends the band concert every Sunday afternoon throughout the summer (16-18 concerts during that period) to oversee arrangements, including making any arrangements necessary to relocate to St Mary’s Church in inclement weather. Jill has been a major contributor to the band concerts which have become a traditional event in the Melton calendar.

The Young Citizen’s Award went to:

Sarah Lovegrove who is actively involved in raising money for charity each year, usually amounting to several thousands of pounds. Sarah has also worked hard to revitalise Melton Young Farmers’ Club.

Special awards:

The Robert Hyslop Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Allison Green and the Derek Sanders Cup for the Outstanding Young Citizen was awarded to Sarah Lovegrove.