GALLERY: Unsung heroes honoured at Civic Awards

Mayor Cllr Tony Trotman delivered the awards to people who have made an outstanding contribution to Calne at the end of the annual parish meeting.

Nominations were made by members of the public, and Cllr Trotman was so proud of everyone who was put forward, they were all given either funding, an award or a certificate.

He said: “We asked residents to put names forward for us to consider and I don’t think we left anyone out.”

One deserving winner of a Civic Award was Norma Hamilton, who after 18 years as a Brownie leader, hung up her uniform for the last time in December.

Ms Hamilton was described as an unsung hero of Calne during the awards presentation.

“It was a surprise in a happy way but it was a bit of a shock too. I’m now coming to terms that they appreciate what I did.

“I said before I had only done if for 18 years, but that is a long time when I think about it. It is a nice end to an enjoyable journey.”

The Mayor chose young individuals who have shown great talent in sports or the arts to receive grants of up to £250. Each year he also awards a Young Citizen’s award to someone aged 11-17 who has had a positive impact on Calne.

Ella Roberts who is in her final year of sixth form at the John Bentley School, and won the Town Mayor’s Gift Fund for the arts, was nominated by assistant head teacher Peter Grant.

She was awarded a grant of £250 to go towards music lessons, equipment and software as she has secured herself a place at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

“I feel very honoured to have received this award,” she explained. “I have really enjoyed being involved in the John Bentley arts community, the Calne Arts Festival and CalneFest.

“The grant will greatly assist me with my studies in music composition at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in September.”

Mr Grant, added: It has been a real privilege to have taught Ella throughout her seven years here.

“Her innate sense of musicality will stand her in good stead for the next step in her musical journey and I really look forward to seeing where that takes her.”

For the full list of winners, please see below.

Civic Award Winners, for their outstanding contribution to Calne:

• Mercy Baggs - Mercy was a Town Councillor from 1995-2017. She has served more than 20 years on the Town Council and has been mayor three times.

• Norma Hamilton - Norma has been a volunteer Brownie leader in Calne for 18 years. She is described by the Brownies as an unsung hero of Calne.

• Catherine Crofts - Catherine has volunteered a lot of her spare time into starting up Calne Clean Up Crew. She was awarded a cheque for £100 to be put towards new equipment or other necessities for the group.

• Malcolm Clarke - Malcolm has donated thousands of bulbs and trees to Calne, making the town look brilliant all year round.

• John Skinner - John has been the driving force between the new town boundary signs. He worked very hard to design and fund the new signs, all while experiencing health issues.

Young Citizens Award, awarded to young individual who has had a positive impact on the town:

• Liam Gale - Liam is a volunteer at Calne Community Hub. Since becoming a volunteer he has gained a significant amount of confidence and maturity. He is loved by people who seek his help and advice, and his fellow volunteers would like to see his enthusiasm and energy acknowledged. He has been awarded £100 for his efforts.

Town Mayor's Gift Fund, awarded to young individuals who have shown great talent in sports or the arts:

• Ella Roberts - Ella will start a new chapter of her life at Conservatoire, The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in September. She has been awarded a grant of £250 as a contribution towards music lessons, equipment and software.

• Flynn Day - Flynn has been selected to represent Wiltshire Council for a tour of Sri Lanka in 2019. He needs to raise a total of £1,000 and was awarded £125 towards his trip.

• Daisy Barrow - Daisy is a fencer, training two to three times a week, swimming and working with a personal trainer. She has a number of achievements under her belt including being the current under 14s girls Wiltshire Champion in foil and in sabre. In 2016 and 2017 she represented the wouth west at the British Youth Championships, and last year she was ranked second in the under 13s foil in the Leon Paul Junior Series - the main national competition series of the year. £125 was awarded to Daisy to help her pay entry fees into competitions and buy specialist equipment.

• Lily Day - Lily was also nominated for the award. She is a cricketer who was represented Wiltshire 1st Ladies and has been selected to trial for the Southern Vipers.

Outstanding Voluntary Contributions and Continued Support to the Community of Calne

As part of the Civic Awards, Mayor Tony Trotman also recognised people who made voluntary contributions, and those who have given continued support to the community of Calne:

• CalneCCTV Volunteers - They were recognised for their outstanding contribution and continued commitment to the well-being and safety of the community of Calne.

• Original Shout Out Calne and the Real Shout Out Calne volunteers - Volunteers who run the community Facebook pages were recognised for the time and effort they spend posting information, questions and feedback for the benefit of Calne residents.

• Katie Harflett - She was recognised for her creative talent, and continued support and commitment in delivering the Santa's Grotto at the Calne Christmas Festival.

• Paul Doust of J J & S Transport - He was recognised for his generous support and commitment to the Calne Summer Festival each year.

• Sainsbury's of Calne - Recognised for their continued support with the town's events throughout the year.

• Jennings Funfair - In recognition of their support for the Summer and Winter Festivals and donating the Fireworks for the Winter Festival.

• Phil Haines of Haines Construction - In recognition of collecting and erecting the town's Christmas tree each year, donated by the Bowood Estate, giving his time, equipment and expertise in ensuring this focal point of the town's celebrations is in place and safe.

• Calne Men's Shed - In recognition of their continued support to people in the community. It gives people of all ability the chance to meet and carry out personal or group projects, as well as giving them support.