April 24, 2018 2.32 pm This story is over 70 months old

Local heroes celebrated at community awards ceremony

Elderly twins David and Louis King were among the award winners

Elderly twins David and Louis King were among local heroes celebrated at West Lindsey District Council’s community awards ceremony.

The 86-year-olds were given a standing ovation as they were presented with the Chairman of the Council’s Special Award for 2018 at the event at Hemswell Court, Hemswell, on Monday evening.

The pair are members of various groups and societies and actively help the local community.

Gainsborough resident Lizzie Jordan was also among the winners after picking up the District Champion of the Year 2018 award for sharing her story of living with HIV with schools and being an ambassador for national campaigns.

Glanford and Lindsey Lions sponsored this year’s trophies and jazz band Orchard from Queen Elizabeth High School in Gainsborough were also in attendance.

Chairman of the Council, Councillor Angela Lawrence, said: “Councillors have shaped and created this awards ceremony to give recognition to the numerous people who give up much of their free time to make West Lindsey a better place. They are the lifeblood of our communities.”

Here’s a full rundown of the winners:

Chairman of the Council’s Special Award – David and Louis King

Chairman of the council, councillor Angela Lawrence with twins David and Louis King, who were presented with the Special Award. Photo: West Lindsey District Council

The twins are stalwarts for their church and the community of Caistor.

They are both members of the male voice choir and indoor and outdoor bowls clubs, as well as founding members of Caistor Amateur Dramatic Society.

The pair are also volunteers and founders of the Luncheon Club and have been involved in numerous fundraising events.

David has been a Governor at Caistor Yarborough School, a volunteer at Caistor Primary School, a scout leader and held various other roles including being an organiser and leader of Remembrance Day parade.

David said: “It is wonderful to receive this award. Helping people is very important. Our Motto is God first, others second and yourself last and that is a very good code to live by.”

His brother Louis served on Caistor Town Council and was Mayor five times, as well as holding various other roles including Governor at Caistor Grammar School.

Louis added: “We are very honoured to accept the award. We have always done what we can to help out all our lives. My brother and I belong to different organisation and we do what we can for our fellow citizens.”

District Champion of the Year – Lizzie Jordan

District Champion of the Year 2018 Lizzie Jordan. Photo: West Lindsey District Council

Lizzie Jordan, 36, of Gainsborough has spent over 10 years going into schools to share her story of living with HIV with children and young people to educate them about healthy relationships and keeping themselves well and safe.

Lizzie has been an ambassador for national HIV campaigns for Terrence Higgins Trust, NAM and Saving Lives and is one of three patient voices on the NHS England HIV clinical reference group.

She mentors other people living with the issue and writes an award winning blog, as well as having featured in a BBC One documentary.

Lizzie said: “I felt really honoured and very shocked. This is a huge privilege. I am really proud of where I come from and to talk about my situation is a major honour to help people understand what happens when people live with HIV as not many people talk about it.”

Citizen of the Year 2018 – Paul Bagshaw

Citizen of the Year Paul Bagshaw. Photo: West Lindsey District Council

Paul Bagshaw, 43, of Gainsborough has raised money to help buy new bikes and accessories for disadvantaged children in the local area over the last few years.

Paul has competed in triathlons and marathons to raise and help others raise money for Alzheimer’s Research and Cancer Research, including £1,200 at a raffle.

This year alone Paul raised enough money to buy over 90 bikes.

Paul said: “I was really surprised to win the award. It is really nice to give something back to the community and hopefully inspire another generation of people like me to do the same in years to come.”

Young Citizen of the Year – Alissa Stevens

Young Citizen of the Year Alissa Stevens. Photo: West Lindsey District Council

Alissa Stevens, 22, wanted to bring the community of Nettleham together by creating a festive market.

Alissa became Chairperson of Nettleham Festive Market in January 2017 and put together a committee and spoke to local businesses.

The market had 2,000 visitors and was a resounding success and Alissa is already working on this year’s market.

Alissa said: “I am so happy, I really enjoyed the work we did on Nettleham Festive Market but it was not just me working on it, there was two others.

“We thought it would be a one off but we are being asked by so many people to now make it a yearly thing. I have never done anything like this before but it has made me think I would like to do something in events in the future.”

Volunteer of the Year – Norman Palmer

Volunteer of the Year Norman Palmer. Photo: West Lindsey District Council

Former science teacher Norman Palmer inspired young people to pursue science and continues to do so.

After retiring Norman helped the local and wider community, regularly supporting the Duke of Edinburgh Award by taking groups of young people out on expeditions.

Norman is also the Tower Captain at St Thomas’ Church in Market Rasen, providing support and guidance to established bell-ringers and teaching beginners.

He also provides the Parochial Church Council with advice on the maintenance of ancient buildings and helped a group organise the restoration of the Church Tower.

Norman said: “I am honoured to receive the award but I did not recognise the description of the councillor described of my activities. I am delighted but I just do what I do. The Duke of Edinburgh Award I do because I like navigation and I teach it at Caistor Grammar School and I like expeditions and walking. With regards to the work with the church I consider myself nothing more than a bell ringing handy man.”

Parish/Town Councillor of the Year – Councillor Mike Spencer, Brattleby Parish Council

Councillor Sheila Bibb and Parish/Town Councillor of the year Mike Spencer (Brattleby Parish Council). Photo: West Lindsey District Council

Mike Spencer, 74, is often referred to as ‘Mr Brattleby’ having lived in the area for all of his life and in Brattleby itself for over 20 years.

Since retiring in 1993, Mike has devoted time and effort to helping the community, including introducing a Neighbourhood Development Plan and emergency plan.

Mike is also Chairman of the St Cuthbert’s Fabric Committee and helped gain an English heritage grant of £210K

Mike said: “I was quite shocked but I accept this award as this is not just me as I am not the only one involved. We really work together. There are 45 houses and 95 residents in the village and we do whatever we can.”

Community Group of the Year – West Lindsey Dementia Support Group

Councillor Giles McNeill with Alan Robinson, Monitoring officer for West Lindsey District Council, collecting the Community Group of the Year award on behalf of the West Lindsey dementia support Group. Photo: West Lindsey District Council

Mavis Wharton and Jean Male founded the group 18 years ago, which works together as a team for the benefit of people in the area affected by dementia, as well as their carers.

The group meet every month in both Gainsborough and Market Rasen, often having over 30 people attending.

Councillor Giles McNeill said: “Both Mavis and Jean are in their 70’s and have a wealth of experience between them, whether this was working in a local care home, hospital or being a social worker. Both ladies are on call for people affected with dementia and will respond no matter what time of the day or night it is. This is their life’s work and they are an inspiration to us all.”

Parish/Town Council of the Year – Caistor Town Council

Councillor Sheila Bibb presented the Mayor of Caistor Alan Somerscales with the Parish/Town Council of the year award, which was won by Caistor Town Council. Photo: West Lindsey District Council

The council’s awareness and desire to work in partnership with others, including the county and district councils, was highlighted as a key reason for the award.

Mayor of Caistor, Councillor Alan Somerscales said: “Obviously I’m really proud of everyones efforts to achieve this. I am pleased that my colleagues and I have achieved it again. We are very fortunate in Caistor as we have about 60 different clubs.”