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Community News

Positive Swindon
Nominations for Pride of Swindon were many and varied

Judges at the Pride of Swindon awareness of RunVember will stay wider community. Watson was singled out for her
Awards were faced with the with me for a long time. He is a Development officer Lee Bowen work with those she lives alongside
unenviable task of sifting through quiet and humble man who takes was praised for his work to promote in Walcot. Over the 30 years that
more than 50 nominations for no personal credit for the effort he table tennis in the town. Head of she has lived in the area, she has
people who contribute in a dizzying has put in.” Performing Arts, Alison Sutcliffe acted as a community champion,
variety of ways to the people and Those facing personal challenges was nominated for the work that helping elderly residents with
environment of the town. were also nominated, including she puts into promoting music in household tasks.
Those nominating were asked to Clare Stow who was nominated the town and Neil Bromley was A volunteer for the Wiltshire
identify what it was about that for her tireless work for charities nominated for working to promote Wildlife Trust since 1981, Kathleen
particular individual or group and community groups over the fencing in the town for 15 years. Wyatt has played a key role in the
that meant they would be worthy years. Clare plays an active role Noreen Vitale was nominated development of the organisation.
recipients of the title Pride of in the Swindon Downs Syndrome for the huge efforts she puts into She has also played a large role
Swindon award winner. group, local churches, and was ensuring that Christmas is a time in inspiring others to get involved
Those put forward included Alan instrumental in setting up a to celebrate for many people who in environmental conservation -
Butler, who has single-handedly community cafe. might otherwise find themselves speaking to schools and community
organised support and sponsorship People working in the arts isolated and alone. groups to talk about her role and
for the RunVember fundraising and education were also well Working as catering manager how others can get involved.
event which challenges people to represented in the nominations. for the Swindon Care Shelter Groups who were nominated
raise money for the homeless of Falling into this category is for the last 9 years, Noreen included the Swindon Lagoons
Swindon by running every day for Barbara Moody, who was one of collects donations from all over Volunteer Group, The Harbour
30 days. the founders of the Haydon Artists Swindon. She also works all over Project which works with refugees
His nomination reads: “The group, which she has helped to run the Christmas period providing in the town, youth theatre group
madness of him running in his for 14 years. breakfast, lunch and an evening Prime Theatre and the Witness
speedos and swimming hat on a In this capacity, she has also buffet for more than 60 people. Service which supports victims of
freezing November evening to raise worked closely with schools and the Community stalwart Caroline crime.

Jacqui Collins who has been nominated along with her friend Colin Crook for their conservation work
Conservation volunteers praised for their efforts

Conservation volunteers Colin they spend placing bird boxes and maintain 700 bird boxes in 13 conservation after stepping down
Crook and Jacqui Collins don’t like around the green spaces in the different sites in Swindon over the from the role.
to be in the spotlight. borough. past 20 years. The also carry out voluntary
The friends, have been Often hidden from view, nestled Colin and Jacqui first met when work for the RSPB, Wiltshire
nominated for the Pride of in the low branches of trees, it is they were both working for the Wildlife, Cotswold Water Park,
Swindon 2017 awards in easy to miss the efforts of these Swindon ranger service and Swindon Dormouse Conservation
recognition of the many hours conservationists who have set up have continued their passion for and Swindon Volunteer Rangers.

14 swindonlink.com n March 2017

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