Recipients of the 2018 Services to Farnham Awards have been announced and between them they have given well over 280 years of their time to volunteering.
Sharing their skills and knowledge so that others can enjoy and benefit from what Farnham has to offer, helping people in difficulty and fundraising thousands of pounds are just some of the ways that the 11 individuals have made Farnham a better place.
The awards were given on Monday 26 February by the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Mike Hodge. He says: “It was an honour to present the awards to these selfless individuals. The statements of nomination are heart-warming and provide a glimpse into how generous and dedicated these people are in both giving and sharing their time to improve the community. In some way, they have all changed people’s lives for the better and they are to be congratulated and thanked for all that they do.”
Each recipient was nominated by a local organisation or member of the public. A panel of community representatives considered the nominations and put forward their winning selections to a meeting of the Full Council in January.
The Services to Farnham Awards are inspired and sponsored by Sir Ray Tindle CBE DL.
Services to Farnham recipients include:
George Alford
For services to the community of Farnham
George Alford has made an immense contribution to a wide range of organisations in Farnham. As a trustee of the local Victim Support Charity, and as a Trustee of the Dempster Trust, George has made a real difference helping individuals and organisations that require sometimes urgent help by finding innovative ways to help those in need.
George was President of the Farnham Rotary in 2016, introducing regular breakfast meetings for other community-minded individuals in order to draw them together to improve understanding of local needs and to encourage communication as well as supporting local charities.
As President of the Friends of Farnham Hospital and Centre for Health, George used his excellent knowledge of health services and structures, to help the Trust in making the best decisions for Farnham Hospital and the local community.
George works tirelessly, innovatively and selflessly for charitable organisations in many different ways and is highly thought of for his many ne qualities.
Alexa Barrow
For services to the Old Kiln Museum (Rural Life Centre)
Alexa Barrow has made a tremendous volunteering contribution for more than 35 years.
From the start of the Old Kiln Museum, Alexa was a key volunteer helping Henry and Madge Jackson with their private collection. From 1984, Alexa became a hard working Trustee, with particular responsibility for ‘Care of the Collection’, which she undertook, until recently, with great dedication and tenacity.
Alexa did much to secure the future of the museum when it was most needed; obtaining grants to make regular improvements, writing polices, and providing guidance. She also led the arduous task of achieving accreditation and reaccreditation of the Museum underpinning the professional approach and the emphasis on the visitor experience.
Among the many volunteers who have helped make the Rural Life Centre what it is today Alexa Barrow stands out, and her outstanding commitment, hard work and dedication make her a worthy award recipient.
Janet Fraser
For services to Farnham Scouts
Janet Fraser has been involved in Scouting for forty years. Janet has actively supported the 2nd Hale Scouts since 1989 and now leads all of Farnham’s Beaver Colonies as Assistant District Commissioner – Beavers, recruiting and retaining leaders and starting new colonies where there is a need, notably in Wrecclesham and Rowledge.
Softly spoken and charming, Janet is professional, organised and capable, and leads a thriving section with long waiting lists of eager would be Beavers. Janet is a key motivator of local events and ensuring Farnham’s participation in activities further a eld.
Scouting in Farnham is thriving due to the efforts of a team of dedicated leaders: Janet has contributed greatly to this success for the past 30 years and is a worthy recipient of the Services to Farnham Award.
Mavis Golding
For services to the community of Farnham
Mavis Golding has been a beacon for local charity work for over almost four decades.
She has volunteered in the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice shop for 35 years and was a principal organiser of the Hospice annual Christmas Market at St Thomas on The Bourne Church until 2014 helping to raise thousands of pounds for this important local charity.
For over 25 years Mavis has conducted house to house collections for the Royal British Legion being commended by them for her contribution. In addition she has co-ordinated and collected for the annual Christian Aid week appeal for over thirty years, as well as arranging plant sales, coffee mornings and recitals at St Thomas on the Bourne to raise funds for the charity.
Mavis is a superb example of dedication to her local community, giving of her time, energy and care in a wholly unstinting way. Farnham needs more people like her.
Maureen Grew
For services to the community of Farnham
Maureen Grew has, for her whole life in Farnham, worked tirelessly in charity and community work, never seeking publicity or reward other than to do good for others. Maureen is a person who can be totally relied upon.
Maureen has been the chairperson for the Farnham Homemakers for over 40 years using her great organisational skills in arranging visits and speakers for the monthly meetings and has leads the Farnham Assist ‘knit and natter’ group providing a wonderful service for those needing companionship.
As a keen member of St Andrew’s Parish Church, Maureen has served as Churchwarden and as a member of the Parochial Church Council and for many years was responsible for the church catering events. In 2017, Maureen took responsibility, at very short notice, for leading the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal resulting in approximately 20,000 shoeboxes being despatched to under privileged children in Europe.
Maureen carries out all her tasks with great care and compassion and with little fuss or bother always there when needed. She is without doubt an excellent example to all and fully deserves recognition for her contribution to Farnham.
Keith Harris (Geoff Jeal received the award on behalf of Keith Harris)
For services to Farnham Lions
Keith Harris joined Farnham Lions in November 2005 and has made an exceptional contribution in all sections of the club. His roles included being Chair of the Social, Membership & Development and Events committees as well as being President in 2014-15 whilst also making an immense contribution to both the Farnham Carnival and the Beerex committees.
Keith has remarkable skills that include a highly focused vision, exceptional motivational skills and an infectious personality evidenced by three major events he led with unparalleled success. The three events between them enabled Farnham Lions to donate some £100,000 to the local community.
Ever-closer relationships between the Lions and Farnham Town Council in implementing community activities have been forged by Keith with the support of a wide range of volunteers.
Keith applies his exceptional enthusiasm, caring nature and business acumen through the Farnham Lions to make a real difference to deserving causes within the local Farnham community.
Robert Hockey
For services to Farnham Hedgehogs
Robert Hockey (Bob) has been an active member of the Farnham Hedgehogs since 1973.
As Chairman from 2013 to April 2017, Bob initiated and oversaw a number of wide-ranging changes raising both the impact and awareness of The Hedgehogs within Farnham.
As a result of Bob’s energy, leadership (and at times obstinacy), the Hedgehogs are more active at many events in the town and surrounding villages, some fundraising with others volunteering at events such as Remembrance Day, Food Fayres and the Christmas lights switch-on. The Hedgehogs are now more widely recognised and regarded as champions for local people who need help in a time of dif culty with nancial bene ts being distributed mainly for the bene t of individuals but also for the community at large.
Bob has been the prime mover in re-energising and reinventing the Hedgehogs who are now regarded as Farnham’s premier local charity working entirely for the bene t of the people of Farnham and surrounding villages.
Richard Horton
For services to the environment and Badshot Lea
Richard Horton is the Chairman, founder and leader of the Tice’s Meadow Bird Group and has been committed to seeing the Badshot Lea quarry restored to a agship nature reserve and Site of Nature Conservation Interest with provision for the nationally important and threatened habitats of wet meadow and reedbeds and a home for some 1075 species.
A knowledgeable nature enthusiast, Richard is always willing to share his knowledge and experience with other members of the group and the wider public and is key in liaison with the site’s owners and other organisations to ensure that the needs of the wildlife on site are considered at all times.
Richard regularly leads public walks for the Surrey Bird Club; is involved with the conservation activities of the Badshot Lea Community Association and sits on the board of the Badshot Lea Kiln Village Hall.
Richard is a true local hero for ensuring that the local community is engaged with the natural environment on its doorstep for over thirty years.
Elizabeth Meade
For services to Farnham Brass Band
Elizabeth Meade (Liz) joined the Farnham Crosby concert band, predecessor to the Farnham Brass band in 1977 as principal trombone.
Over the years, Liz has been carried out a wide range of roles including Conductor, a committee member, recruiter, location manager and teacher as well as Chairman for ve years, Through the ups and downs of the band, Liz has been a constant support, getting
funding and helping the band evolve into the well-established institution it is today. Liz was also one of the team that was instrumental in getting a bandstand in Gostrey Meadow and in securing rehearsal rooms and storage for the band.
As a real team player, Liz has organised band trips to Germany and Switzerland, fundraising events for local charities and social evenings for band members.
Liz is a reliable club member who is “always there” and has been made an immense contribution to the success of the band such that it is still entertaining the crowds, performing at community events and providing musical education for all.
Roy Waight
For services the community of Rowledge
Roy Waight has made an exceptional contribution to the local community of Rowledge through his contributions to local history, culture and leisure activities.
After extensive research, Roy published ‘Rowledge- Remote From Civilisation?’ – an illustrated history of Rowledge and developed a series of talks on local history which he has presented to many local organisations and resident groups.
Roy’s professional and entertaining style, together with a wealth of humorous anecdotes, means he is very popular and much in demand. In addition, in collaboration with Phil Thomas, Roy developed a series of illustrated walks around Rowledge, with all proceeds being generously donated to the local community.
Roy has become the acknowledged ‘village historian’ and is the prime point of reference on all local history matters in Rowledge.
Through his publications, presentations and infectious enthusiasm, Roy has inspired considerable interest in the history of Rowledge and encouraged local residents to take up walking and keep t.
Ian Wilkins
For services to Farnham District Explorer Scouts
Ian Wilkins has been an Explorer Scout Leader in Farnham for many years helping young people span the challenging teenage years in a structured setting.
As District Commissioner for Explorer Scouts, Ian has brought together four separate units into a single District enabling a much more diverse programme than was previously possible; and leads activities that add value to community events with Explorer Scouts marshalling and providing other support
In recent years, Ian has taken groups of Explorer Scouts to Portugal, the Spanish Jamboree in Gran Canaria and many UK locations providing experiences that the young people would not get any other way. In addition, Ian leads the organising of the Annual National Explorer and Network Scout Camp called Theme Park Camp, attended by over 400 scouts from all over the country, putting Farnham on the UK scouting map.
Ian thoroughly deserves this award for his tireless work in running Farnham District Explorer Scouts and providing unique opportunities for any young person who wants to get involved.
