Community Area Awards 2008
Citations
The Tidworth Community Area Awards were held on the 18th March at Chute Club. There were over 40 nominations which recognised endeavour in the local community. Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sir Roderick Cordy-Simpson KBE CB was guest of honour at the ceremony. Sir Roderick presented certificates and trophies for every nomination, in addition to shields awarded to groups and individuals who have made the most contributions. Organiser, Tidworth Trust Community Development Co-ordinator, Hilary Hollinsworth said: “These awards continue to reflect the level of support for and within our communities. We received many nominations, which reveals just how much work is going on behind the scenes.”
Thank you to all those who have nominated people – as ever the amount of activity ongoing within the Community Area is considerable. The citations are in no particular order and may include both individual and group nominations. We have kept the citations brief so we may not do full justice to all of them.
The full list of citations appears below: Listen to the citations...
| |
Jim Foxen - Jim is a Chute villager, having been brought up in the village. In his younger days he played both cricket and football when the village had teams for both sports. Later in life he became the sort of person the village could depend on, quietly and behind the scenes. For a long period he was a very active member of Chute Forest Parish Council, and was, and still is, a member of the Chute Fete Committee. He is a staunch member of the Chute bellringers, practising every Thursday and regularly ringing for Sunday services at St Nicolas, Upper Chute.
Cricket remains one of his loves, and after his playing days he became a member of the Shed group. This was a small gathering, who would attend every home fixture, sit by the machinery shed, and woe betide any member of the team that did not play up to their high standards. When in the 1980’s John Burden was asked to set up the Playing Field Committee, Jim was the first person asked to become a member, and he has remained so ever since, including a long period of service as the Vice Chairman, a position he still holds to this day.
Jim has ‘expanded’ that role to take on the responsibility of all aspects of the smooth running of the playing field throughout the year, including all of the other non-sport activities held there, and without him it is felt that the quality of the field, both surface and amenities, would not be of the high standard that has been achieved and maintained. He is religiously out on the field mowing from the seat of the little grey tractor, that is most probably older than him - a sure sign of his dedication.
|
| |
Special Constable Sharron Mitchell -Sharron holds a demanding full-time job, yet still gives many hours of her time each month supporting Tidworth Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team as a Special Constable. Since its inception, Sharron has been an invaluable member of the Team working on youth projects in the area. She worked on the consultations, fundraising and the subsequent implementation of the Everleigh Chill youth night held at the Crown Hotel Everleigh, as well as using her considerable skills from her ‘real’ job to produce all out advertising literature, changing it, sometimes at short notice, to keep it fresh or add details like new sponsorship.
All this is in addition to turning up at every event, not only on the rural section, but the Bluez n Zuz disco held in Tidworth itself, and supervising the evenings to help provide the safe environment which have made them the success they are. She is also involved in the development of a new youth project for the Collingbournes, which although in its infancy will greatly benefit from her flair and ideas. Without Sharron’s tireless input, innovative fundraising ideas and commitment to Neighbourhood Policing, in particular the youth issues, the Policing team and the community in general would have increased levels of anti-social behaviour to deal with.
|
 |
Laurence McGowan - Laurence has for a number of years organised and run a very popular monthly quiz night to raise funds for the upkeep of the village hall. He is also webmaster for the village website, as well as assisting in the printing of the Courier, the monthly newsletter for Ducis, Kingston and Everleigh villages. He also volunteers at the Primary School helping with the children’s reading etc. |
 |
PCSO Claire Davidson - since joining the Tidworth rural NPT almost 2 years ago, Claire has been the driving force behind several youth projects and neighbourhood initiatives, which would not have got off the ground if it had not been for her hard work, determination and her ability to educate people to the benefits of such schemes. The results are already reaping rewards not only for our organisation in respect of reduced crime and anti-social behaviour but for the community as a whole. Setting up the Everleigh Chill – a monthly youth club at the Crown Hotel Everleigh, where they have a safe, supervised environment to play indoor/outdoor games, listen to music or just ‘chill’ (that’s relax to us oldies). Since it started 18 months ago, there has been only one minor incident in the village, caused by a newcomer, which was resolved by peer pressure as they didn’t want their club connected with it!
Claire was also the catalyst behind the youth shelter at Collingbourne Ducis. The young people were involved in the design and location of the shelter working with the Parish Council. Vandalism in the area has been reduced and Claire has built up a rapport with the young people. A village youth club is also planned with the aim that on each Tuesday of the month there is a youth evening somewhere in the rural area.
The Neighbourhood Watch has been re-launched, working with Rodney Haverson and a Bulletin is circulated electronically. The means information can be circulated speedily to residents and also provides an opportunity for raid response. Claire’s hard work and enthusiasm has made tangible improvements across the rural NPT area.
|
 |
Michael Holt – Mike is the Tower Captain and leader of the Collingbournes & Everleigh Society of Ringers and has been bell ringing in the area since 1994. Not only does he recruit, train and lead the bell ringers, but he also gives his time and skills to the maintenance of the bells in the three local churches. He is also a Parish Councillor and warden of the village hall. |
 |
Janet Thompson - Janet has run the 1st Tidworth Guide Company for the past 30 years. In this time she has given girls aged 10 – 15 years in the area opportunities to learn and enjoy many activities. These have ranged from vital life skills such as first aid, healthy living, laundry, home and financial skills to fun activities such as circus skills, mad games, enjoying the outdoors, campfires and face painting to name but a few.
Every year she gives the girls opportunities to go to Guide camp and adventure weekends, ensuring that even the less able members of the unit have fun and reach their full potential. As well as running the unit she has also been a District and Division Commissioner for the Salisbury Plain area, the Wiltshire South Guide Advisor and a Camping Advisor. This year she is doing her Girlguiding UK Walking scheme so that she can take her Guides out and about safely walking the county boundary as part of the Girlguiding UK’s centenary.
It is testament to her contribution that when she meets ex-Guides, and indeed their daughters attend Guides, they talk of their fond memories of their time with 1st Tidworth Guides. |
 |
Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall management committee - The committee provides a centre for cohesive community activities to embrace all ages 0 – 110 years in and around the Ducis area. Lindie Rogers, chair of the committee collected the trophy on their behalf.
|
 |
Kay Capon - Kay has worked in the Tidworth area for over 20 years in a variety of capacities, most recently as the Centre Co-ordinator for the Windmill Hill Children’s Centre, managed by Rural Need Initiative.
First and foremost Kay is passionate about children. All her work in the area has centred on finding ways to give children the very best start in life – whether by providing information or providing a listening ear to a distressed parent. At the same time Kay’s positive outlook on life has helped many of us see the funny side of a situation and her diplomatic skill have soothed many a ruffled feather.
Over the years Kay has worked across the community, with both military and civilian agencies and personnel. She has always ‘looked out’ for families to make sure they get the very best possible services. Although now retired, Kay has said that there will always be a bit of Tidworth in her.
|
 |
Collingbourne & District Twinning Association – The Association runs the Annual Duck Race for the entertainment and amusement of young and old in the community and raising funds for the Association. David Paterson will collect on behalf of the Association. |
 |
Perham Village Residents’ Association – The Residents Association liaises with the Management Company, which owns the estate on behalf of the residents. Issues raised include road repairs. They also liaise with the local Police regarding graffiti and local concerns. A newsletter is produced to keep residents up-to-date on local matters and one member runs the Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Together they keep an eye on the estate – clearing weeds from footpaths, collecting rubbish and fostering a community spirit. Eddie Manning collected the trophy on behalf of the group. |
 |
Chris Stock - is long time resident of Upper Chute and has been a key member of the Chute community over many years. Much of the social cohesion and community spirit enjoyed within the villages that make up the Chutes is as direct result of his tireless activities.
He has been a long-standing church-goer who has been a Church Warden, leading member of the Church Choir and patron to much of the vital work undertaken by the Church for the Villages. He has also been a long standing member of the Village Hall committee helping to steer a path for this precious village asset through challenging times.
He has led the editorial team writing the monthly community newsletter, the Chute Chronicle. This wonderful institution has been kept alive by a small team and he has been a leading light. In addition, he has set about rejuvenating the Chute website and linking it to the Chute Chronicle. This has involved learning web-design skills and making this website a truly useful aid to local life.
Finally, Mr Stock has created and energised a new Chute Cricket Club comprising a team of local volunteers willing not only to play, but to make wide-ranging improvements to the cricket pitches and practice nets for the greater good of the whole community. In doing so he has brought the quintessential English game to one of the most idyllic English Villages.
All this work is done with his customary smile and boundless enthusiasm. Mr Stock is a true stalwart of the Chutes who deserves to be recognised and is thoroughly recommended for an Award.
|
 |
Capt and Mrs Willamson - Capt Williamson became interested in the Purple Salute organisation when he was in Selly Oak hospital having witnessed their generosity. Their aim is to support the Armed Forces and Emergency Services in a variety of ways; providing Christmas Hampers and planting trees are two of them. During the Christmas period Capt M Williamson and his wife Caroline liaised with ‘Purple Salute’ to provide and then deliver Christmas Hampers to 11 military guardrooms and the Tidworth Police Station. These were gratefully received and enjoyed by all those on duty.
Currently he is planning to plant trees (Red Oak) as part of the organisations’ ‘Living Tribute Trail’. Liaison with Aspire and the Garrison Headquarters has led to an agreement to situate the trees at Tedworth House which will help form part of the planned Bourne Valley Linear Park. A ceremony is being planned for late March/April and will be publicised accordingly.
It is believed that Capt Williamson and his wife have shown considerable commitment to Purple Salute and in following their ideals they have already benefited the local community and the trees will continue to do so in the future.
|
 |
Gill Cockerton - Gill has worked for the NSPCC Ashdown Family Centre for the past 18 years. She has been influential in ensuring that a new building was built in Tidworth 7 years ago. She has been involved in the Tidworth Development Trust and the setting up of the Children’s Centre. She is always supportive of other organisations that are less well established. She has been the voice of the child within the local area, NSPCC and other organisations she has been involved with. Gill has been an advocate for children and families in the local area and worked with hundreds of children some of whom are now parents themselves and continue to access support at the Ashdown. As colleagues we feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with Gill. She has touched the hearts of many people she comes into contact with either through work or her private life. She has been influential in ensuring that staff and students from the local area have had the opportunity to grow, develop and train. Gill has been the spokesperson for NSPCC both on TV and radio and built close links working with both army and civilian families in the Tidworth community area. She was instrumental in establishing the ‘Opportunity Pre-School Group’, an integrated group for children with and without additional needs. Through her dedication, enthusiasm and heart felt commitment, the Centre plays a very important role within the community. Gill is leaving at the end of this month and we wish her well in any future endeavours. |
 |
Roy Chandler – Roy originally played cricket for Collingbourne during the 50s and 60s. Following the re-formation of the club in 1983, Roy took a leading role, serving as Chairman for almost 20 years and then becoming President of the Club until the present day, Roy’s service to the club has been unstinting. He has umpired, prepared wickets, supported and even played. Collingbourne Cricket Club would not exist if it was not for Roy. |
 |
Volunteers at Castledown Radio - Castledown Radio relies on all its volunteers, of whom it is extremely proud of their achievements, abilities and personal development. A few volunteers go well beyond just delivering on the radio shows, with their large amounts of preparation in all its forms. In particular :
Helen Taylor - A very busy Mum and wife who manages to deliver the Mid Morning Magazine amidst running support groups and the other chaos of family life
Rick Young - Rick is employed to deliver the Morning Slot from 8 – 10 am but then goes on to teach the Radio Club, assists in training volunteers, and organising the multitude of jobs that are essential to the successful running of the radio station.
John Sparrow - John has supported the Radio station almost from its inception, delivering a regular Saturday morning radio programme, being a prime leader in delivering the Really Red Radio Roadshow to a myriad of local outside events and delivering regular technical support.
|
 |
Staddlestone Soirees - Darrell and Graeme are the brains behind the Staddlestone Soirées, On November 29th ‘Two Grands - Four Hands’ in the Village Hall. The highlights of the evening were the stunning excerpts from the Rachmaninov and Grieg piano concertos. The concert raised around £1,000 for the Village Hall. The sale of the Blüthner, on December 18th at auction in London, raised a further £1,500 (less commission and moving expenses), which will go towards the upkeep and insurance of the Steinway.
On December 13th came a very special ‘Concert of Carols, Opera and Song’ in St Andrew’s Church Collingbourne Ducis. Thanks too to the bell ringers, everyone who helped make the church look so festive and atmospheric, and those who donated and served mince pies and mulled wine. The concert raised £1,224, shared between Age Concern and Naomi House children’s hospice. Their total raised to date is now over £53,000.
|
 |
Richard Amery – Richard has supported the Tidworth community on behalf of the Garrison Headquarters. He has been responsible for liaison with the local community and local government since august 1995; this has included being a Director and Vice-Chairman of the Tidworth Development Trust since its formation. Currently he is actively involved in the formation of the Community Area Board and is an active member of the Tidworth Community Area Partnership. His involvement in community safety, especially in the development of the STAG project at Gason Hill has ensured its progress. Richard is due to retire at the end of July and we wish him well. |
 |
John Roach - John has been a stalwart support of his elderly neighbours – assisting with shopping, dealing with rubbish, including taking it to Everleigh tip. In particular during the recent bad weather, he cleared snow from footpaths, gritting and generally checked on their welfare. |
 |
Collingbourne Kingston WI - In 2009, this WI will be celebrating 90 years since formation (as does the Federation). They were one of the original WIs in Wiltshire, holding their meetings in the village hall. Subjects this year will include local wildlife, Stonehenge, life as a solicitor, what the bride wore, Hawk conservancy and craft activities, continuing the ethos of education and fellowship for members. The Institute is making a banner for the village hall covering aspects of village life. It is an achievement for any organisation to last 90 years and one of the current members is a descendant of an original member in 1919. Members are drawn from both Collingbournes and further afield. Jane Crook, President, received the award on behalf of the group. |
 |
John Percey - John has been chairman of the Sunset Club in Ludgershall for many years and also is now chairman on the Over 60s Club in Tidworth ensuring that older people in our community area have access to social activities. |
| |
Neil Haskins - Neil has been at the heart of the T2a Club (Tidworth Adventure and Alternative Sports). The Club is now 3 years old and without people like Neil in our communities providing support and encouragement to young people, projects like T2a would not get off the ground. He works as part of a close team that has developed opportunities – such as wall climbing, mountain biking and orienteering – and built their skills and confidence. |
| |
John Pender – John took over as Headteacher of Castledown School when it was put into Special Measures. For going beyond the requirements of his post and developing a school that was not delivering its potential to one of which the pupils, staff and community can be proud. |
 |
Sue Vallis - For her work to maintain and enhance the community use of Castledown Sports Centre. Sometimes working in her own time to ensure the delivery of the best service and always with a friendly smile and welcome. |
| |
Tracey Weinman - Tracey supports the young peoples’ event “Everleigh Chill” allowing them the use the lower room in the Crown and going well beyond just the loan of the room to make the event a safe and enjoyable experience for the young people and the Police team. |
 |
Alex Bostock - Alex Bostock has been Clarendon Junior School head teacher for many years. He encourages innovation through special projects. He goes beyond the call of duty as can be displayed whenever he meets any group of young people who will make themselves known to him, an adult, who they obviously respect from their time in his school. He then finds time to Chair the Local Head Teachers group, a founding and continuing member of Tidworth Festival Ops Committee and Director of Tidworth Development Trust. We have yet to discover what he does in his spare time! - although he is a keen photographer. |
 |
Charles Howard - As well as his duties as Church Warden at St. Mary's, Collingbourne Kingston, Charles has worked tirelessly for the interests of the community as a whole in his role as District Councillor.
Charles has made of point of actively representing all those in his Ward and has been a constant thorn in the side of both the District Council as a whole and the County Council, to the great benefit of those he represents. He works tirelessly to this end, as is self evident from the results over the past couple of years.
|
 |
John Newman - John has been a stalwart support of Ludgershall Memorial Hall for many years, giving freely of his time, wisdom and practical support. He has given many years of expertise to maintain and enhance Ludgershall Parish facilities.
Even on occasional assisting Tidworth community when requested. He is still an active director of Tidworth and District Chamber of Commerce, Tidworth Development Trust and continues to be a member of Ludgershall Town Council.
|
 |
Natalie Williams – Natalie runs the Collingbourne Brownies (8 to 10 year olds) and Beavers (6 to 8) and is totally dedicated to giving the children fun and excitement week in, week out. She is also anchoring the local Scout Group as a whole, as its main point of contact. Things were made more challenging for her over the last year or so with retirements of other leader roles within the two organisations. She works tirelessly with the children to achieve the aim of these two movements - that the children will grow and be challenged so that they may responsibly play their full place in society and the community as they grow up. |
 |
Chris Williams - Chris has been a Parish, Town and District Councillor where he promotes the community and its aspirations - to benefit all those residing in those areas. He is presently Chair of an active Ludgershall Town Council.
He supports youth projects ~ whose development involves young people - he sees it as a learning experience for young people who are the long-term future of our community.
Chris is Chair of the Tidworth Community Area Board (pilot) where he is striving to make sure the pilot produces the best result for the county but more importantly for our own Community Area. |
 |
David Wildman - David is Chairman of Tidworth and District Chamber of Commerce and along with the other directors has been a driving force to enhance economy in the area and the retail facilities in Tidworth and Ludgershall. David is Vice-Chair of Tidworth Community Area Partnership and he chairs its Housing and Built Environment working group, whilst also being an active participant in the Economy working group. Through his efforts the Kennet Economic Partnership was formed.
Because of his links across these groups and with the Chamber of Commerce he has been instrumental in the development of the Economic and Retail Strategies for the area and was involved in discussions that led to the decision of Tesco to move to Tidworth. He has also been involved with several projects: Rubbish Awareness Project (RAP), Tidworth Area Awareness Project (Team Tidworth) and working with many partners leading in the development of Castledown Business Centre. He has been until recently a Parish/Town Councillor and continues to further the development of a positive future for the Community Area. |
 |
Captain Angus Tilney & team - With the specific aim of raising money for Help for Heroes, and the need to offer each individual a real challenge to attract attention and support, Capt Angus Tilney decided to raise a team of cyclists from The King’s Royal Hussars to ride from Land’s End to John O’Groat’s, a distance of some 900 miles. Thinking that this may not be a suitably demanding challenge in itself, he decided to complete the journey in 6 days; success would require a daily average of 150 miles/day, a target higher even than that set for the international Tour de France! Over the 6 days, this would equate to 12 hours in the saddle at an average speed of 12.5 mph. The selection of highly motivated individuals, purchase of suitable cycles and a gruelling training regime started in March 2008, 4 months before the start in July. Having completed the schedule despite the best efforts of a busy military programme, the team of 7 started from Land’s End in high spirits but understandably apprehensive. One rider crashed at speed on day 1 which left him in hospital and unable to continue. The remainder cycled on, dispirited by this incident but still very determined to succeed. Long, increasingly painful days in the saddle followed, but they did provide an unparalleled view of the UK as they peddled northwards. With a support team providing welcome sustenance, encouragement and a camp bed each night, the team was able to face the new rigours of each day. After successfully completing 176 miles in the penultimate day, they finally arrived at John O’Groat’s, the most northern point of mainland UK, at teatime on Day 6 – exhausted, aching but triumphant. All agreed that it was a remarkable experience, and a physical achievement of which they are all justifiably proud. Their combined efforts raised over £5000 for Help for Heroes. Capt Tilney and most of the team are currently on exercise prior to deployment so Sgt Ian Smith accepted the trophy on behalf of the team. |
 |
Peter & Florence Foakes – Peter and Florence have been running the Thrift Shop in Zouch market for over 12 years and now feel it is time for other things. Peter has managed the accounts for the shop during this period and the funds, raised from sale of donated items, has raised over £30,000 for charity during this period. In the current climate or re-cycling Peter and Flo have been there way before us and certainly got the T-shirt! |
 |
Volunteers for Bluez ‘n’ Zuz - These discos started 4 years ago in Tidworth with the support of the local police for local teenagers. The Castledown Radio volunteers give up their time to help load, unload and set up the Really Red Radio Roadshow every month. In particular :
Dan Sparrow leads the DJ team; he organises the DJ sets and collects requests when the rest of the team are DJing. He is a really hard worker and enjoys leading the team, but not being on air!
Olly Emans is a DJ and interviewer. Each month he collects interviews and photographs and builds them into a page on the Castledown Radio website. He also edits the interviews and broadcasts them in his own show on Castledown Radio as part of the ‘Radio Club’ output on Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes between 1 and 2pm.
Issac Smith is the smallest member of the team but has the loudest voice! He has great command of the microphone and he also plays some bangin’ tunes! He is very organised and always prepares his music info before his DJ session. Issac is training as a producer with the ‘Radio Club’. |
 |
Clarendon Infants School - This year the fundraising at the school has included collecting tins for the Trussell Trust, £100 for Salisbury Hospital Stars Appeal, £100 for the local Salvation Army, £400 for Cancer Research and also raised over £750 for a school and baby clinic in Mafarga Africa. This helps feed, clothe and educate the families there. Photos and letters are exchanged. The school tries very hard to have kind hearts both in the local and wider communities. Janet Stanford, nursery teacher, collected the trophy on behalf of the school. |
 |
T2a volunteers – T2a was set up to provide adventure and alternative sports’ opportunities for local young people. Bethany Young, Katie Benstead and Sam Rook have represented the members of the club on the newly formed committee. They have taken their responsibilities very seriously, giving up their time to the committee meetings, monthly fora and expressing their views. They set a very good example to younger members of the club. Sam will be moving on to pastures new and we wish him well.
Jo Reynolds was one of the first members of the club and has been one of the most committed. She is an excellent role model for the other members, a great leader and a very talented young woman. She is always fun to be with, looks out for others and a popular member of the club, and though not wishing to be in the limelight is always ready to help.
|
 |
Betty Snook – Betty has been a volunteer at the Thrift Shop for over 40 years and no doubt will have seen many changes in and around Tidworth – hopefully some for the better! Betty has been so dedicated , she has even come to the Thrift Shop after her nursing shift ended. |
|
News 
