Civic Awards

A number of Civic Awards have been presented by the Town Council in recognition of exceptional effort and commitment by individuals beyond their normal role or occupation, who in so doing have provided benefit and good for the town.

2008 Adrian & Anne Hoare

Mayor Len Elston presents award to Adrian & Anne Hoare

Adrian & Anne Hoare, both historians, joined Wymondham Heritage Society in 1984 and quickly became involved in it's museum work with Adrian being elected as the chairman of the Wymondham Heritage Museum committee in 2000, a post he still holds today. Each year Adrian & Anne support each other in arranging a new and varied display at the museum including The Kett exhibition in 1999, the Americans around Wymondham, the Damgate story and History along the Tiffey to name but a few.

The museum with Adrian & Anne as the driving force, ably supported by an enthusiastic band of volunteers, had their efforts recognised by winning the Berry Savory Tourism Award in 2001 and they have put in a huge amount of time developing the museum into one of Wymondham and South Norfolks Tourism must visit places.

In recognition of this and their commitment to community life the Town Council were pleased to confer this prestigious award. 

2007 John & Kate Wood

Mayor Joe Mooney presents award surrounded by the Wood Family

*In recognition of the hundreds of hours voluntary work undertaken on behalf of the community, Wymondham Town Council has presented it's annual Civic Award to John & Kate Wood.

John Wood, who was an academic registrar at the UEA, moved to Norfolk together with his wife in the early 1960's and to Wymondham in 1976. He has been instrumental in the creation of the Wymondham Community Partnership following a period as a Town Councillor ,during which he was the Town's Mayor in 1997/98. He is also chair of Wymondham Music Festival and Wymondham Arts Forum and is leading the way on the town's Tiffey Trails heritage project.

Kate Wood has led the creation of, and is the chair of trustees for, the Wymondham Learning Initiative, a partnership working to improve adult learning opportunities in the town and surrounding villages.She is also a trustee of the Ashcroft Project, a provider of services for women with mental health needs and a governor of Ashleigh Infant School.

Town Clerk , Trevor Gurney, commented 'Mr & Mrs Wood's various commitments mean they are very busy in retirement, and the unpaid hours they have put into the community over the last 10 years has been fantastic. This award is richly deserved and the Town Council has been pleased to honour them in this way'.

2006 - Graham Barrell

Posthumous award for service to the community.

Mayor David Fletcher presents Civic award to Val Barrell
in memoriam of her late husband

Graham Barrell who died, aged 59, in December 2005 after a year long illness was admired for his community activities in Wymondham which included many years service at Wymondham Abbey, where he became PCC secretary, then lay chairman and a churchwarden. On taking early retirement from the BBC he extended his community role, becoming an early member of Wymondham Music Festival committee. He helped set up Wymondham Development Partnership in 1999, serving as vice-chairman for 5 years ans running its Town publicity group. He originated and ran the Wymondham Community website, and chaired the town's Tourism Forum. He was a governor of Wymondham High School and chairman for four years. An able and meticulous administrator, he was always willing to support and promote others' ideas and activities as well as shouldering his own responsibilities. His hard work and commitment in so many areas of town life will be very much missed by the Wymondham community.

2006 - Barrie & Frances Sullivan

For contribution to the life of the town's residents and to nature conservation.

Barrie and Frances Sullivan receive their Civic award
from Mayor David Fletcher

The award reflects the Councils appreciation of the work that Barrie & Frances have carried out to improve the life of the towns residents and in particular their contribution to the outstanding success of Wymondham Nature Group (WyNG). Mayor Councillor David Fletcher was pleased to present the award at WyNG's recent A.G.M and commented that this was 'a well deserved recognition of the time and commitment given to wildlife projects in the area'.

Barrie has played a leading role in U3A (University of the Third Age). He was its founding chairman and continues to lead a couple of the special interest groups (wildlife and opera).

Both Barrie and Frances have been long term members of Wymondham Art Society and have taken an active role in the care of Tolls Meadow in the Town which is now a Norfolk County Council wildlife site.

2005 - Fran Young

For 16 years of service to Wymondham Guides.

Fran Young (centre) receiving her Civic Award from Mayor Andrew Pond
with, from left, Martin Wynne,Joanna Newman and Joe Mooney

Wymondham Guide leader Fran Young is the winner of the Town Council's 2005 Civic Award. Her hard work with young people has been recognised by the town council as she has demonstrated exceptional effort and commitment beyond her normal role and occupation. Fran, who has two children, runs the 4th Wymondham Guides and has been invilved with Guiding since 1989 when she moved to the area. She is passionate about the movement, having organised camps, been a district commissioner and an area advisor. She also fundraises for the local charities and, to cap it all, is studying for a degree.

2004 - Horace Wilkinson

For nearly 40 years of enterprising work for the local community.

'An honour well deserved'

Mayor Martin Wynne presents Horace Wilkinson with his Civic Award

photo courtesy of Wymondham and Attleborough Mercury

Horace Wilkinson had a surprise when he turned up for his regular stewarding duties at the Farmers' Market in April 2004. The Town Mayor was there to present him with a Wymondham Civic Award for nearly 40 years of enterprising work for the local community.

A tireless behind the scenes worker, 80 year old Horace was surprised to find himself in the spotlight for a change. Although always willing to turn a hand to practical work, his great skill has been in the planning, persuading and negotiating that goes behind every successful project.

His achievements include:

• masterminding the purchase of the Bridewell for the town.
• numerous roles in Wymondham Heritage Society.
• helping to bring the CAB to Wymondham.
• establishing the Tiffey Valley Walk.
• helping toset up of the farmers' market.
• founder member of Wymondham Development Partnership.
• working for the Mid Norfolk Railway.
• chairing the UnitedReform Church development group.
  

2003 - Michael Armstrong

For services to 2cinema2 and the community during his lifetime.

A founder member of the Regal Experience group, Mr Michael Armstrong, received the Wymondham Civic Award, in the presence of film star Jean Kent, for his services to 2cinema2 and the community during his lifetime. The Town Mayor,Martin Wynne, presented the award at the film show on Sunday 16th March 2003.

2001 - Brian and Barbara Randall

For the development of music in Wymondham particularly through Wymondham Music Week which was founded in 1996.

Brian & Barabara Randall receiving their Civic Award from Martin Wynne, the Town Mayor

The Citation by the Town Mayor for the 2001 Civic Award read:

This year's award is the first which is to be jointly awarded to two people, a husband and wife team, Brian and Barbara Randall. They have served on and been instrumental (pardon the pun) in the Music Week committee since 1996. They have worked tirelessly for the development of music in Wymondham. Wymondham Music week now provides a diverse appreciation of music and in some way I am sure has touched each of us on this Council, together with a large proportion of residents and visitors who have experienced and enjoyed a wide variety of musical and associated presentations and performances. It is now established as a major cultural event of Wymondham.

Brian specifically deals with press and publicity and initiated and developed the now very successful jazz evening and other major events. Barabara arranges the programme and makes most of the practical arrangements for all the events - now in the region of 30, including market place entertainment. Between them they devote hundreds of hours each year to Music week and the wider promotion and appreciation of music in the town. They are talented individuals and as a family; their daughter this year winning a Wymondham High School prize for music, partly donated by this Town Council. They are truly very worthy recipients of this Civic Award and it gives me great pleasure to thank them for all their hard work on behalf of the Town Council and our community.

I trust that Wymondham Music Week and they, will continue long into the future providing enjoyment and pleasure for us all.

Barabara and Brian, congratulations and well done on receiving what is the first newly crafted Civic Award.

1998 - Dr John Gardiner

For his work in researching, documenting and rationalising numerous charity organisations within the town.

1996 - Dr Bill Price

For his work in documenting, protecting and improving local footpaths and rights of way in the Wymondham parish.

1992 - Jane Martin

For organising community efforts to fundraise and install the children's play area on King's Head Meadow.

1989 - John Speakman

For his work in establishing the original Tourist Information Centre in the Market Cross which continues to grow from strength to strength and is a tremendous feature of the Town.