FOUR community heroes from the Post area have been given recognition during the recent Cornwall Council Civic Awards.

Community heroes from across Cornwall were recognised at a special ceremony at County Hall in Truro recently, and a total of 32 worthy winners of Cornwall Council’s Civic Awards were honoured, ranging from litter pickers to charity fundraisers, each having been nominated by a local councillor.

The awards were handed out by the chairman of Cornwall Council, Cllr Mary May, who said: “It was an amazing occasion, and it is always an honour to recognise those people who help to make Cornwall such a special place to live. They do not do their work for the recognition, but from a sense of community spirit and pride, and are a real inspiration to us all.”

Four of these were nominated by Liberal Democrat councillors in North Cornwall, Dominic Fairman, Adam Paynter, Adrian Parsons and Peter La Broy.

Cllr Fairman, Cornwall Councillor for Delabole, St Breward and St Teath, nominated the chair of St Breward Parish Council, Denis Lusby.

He said: “Denis epitomises the strong sense of community spirit in St Breward. A member of the parish council for over 20 years, he has chaired for the last 14 and overseen a number of ambitious projects that have enriched the village, including a new play area, an imposing granite war memorial and most recently securing an EU grant to upgrade a historic footpath from the school to the Churchtown.

“Always at the centre of village life, with his innate sense of fair play and common sense, he has been a driving force within the carnival committee and many local history and wildlife groups. Without doubt, the village would be a poor place without him and his ready Irish wit.”

Cllr Peter La Broy, Cornwall Councillor for Bude, nominated Paul Crum, plus his wife Laila, for their dedication to leading the environmental group, Bude Rubbish Action Group.

Cllr La Broy said: “Paul Crum started BRAG (Bude Rubbish Action Group) in 2018, which has been an incredible success and made a terrific difference to our community. Paul has led a number of initiatives throughout the Bude area, mainly focussed of group litter picking activities. Now, this doesn’t necessarily sound exciting, but somehow Paul’s enthusiasm has been infectious throughout the area and our community has been right behind him.

“Almost every weekend sees an organised group working together to clean up areas that don’t normally get attention. Paul led a recent group to clear up a small copse that had been subject to fly tipping and had become a real environmental disaster zone. Not only do we have pride in our public area, but a sense of responsibility and ownership of our place.

“Paul’s group BRAG has also provided a basis for many people to get together with a positive spirit, having a bit of fun and a basis for friendships that will last for many years. Paul has also spent a lot of time communicating and educating about BRAG to local parish councils, schools and the wider community in Cornwall through interviews with Radio Cornwall and other media.

“I nominated both Paul and Laila, as Laila is always involved in BRAG with Paul and is usually to be seen close by on all of the litter picks with their children. This couple has been responsible for making a big difference for the community in Bude.”

Cllr Adrian Parsons, Cornwall Councillor for Altarnun, nominated the team at Jamaica Inn for their help during the snow at the beginning of the year. He said: “It was a pleasure to nominate the team from the Jamaica Inn for a CC Civic Award. During the heavy snow we experienced at the beginning of February they kept their doors open to accommodate motorists stranded on the A30 at Temple. They worked tirelessly through the night ensuring people were safe and warm, creating extra sleeping accommodation, providing hot drinks and food. This level of community spirit is admirable and I thank them for all they did.”

The club chairman of Werrington Cricket Club Richard Jenkin was nominated by Cllr Adam Paynter, ward member for North Petherwin and Launceston North and council leader, for his services to the club. Cllr Paynter said: “Richard has devoted thousands of hours to Werrington Cricket Club most recently as the club chairman for the last ten years. Richard has worked to improve the club both on and off the pitch.

“Under Richard’s stewardship the club has had the most success of its hundred-year history in winning the Cornwall Premier League trophy four times in the last six years which is a phenomenal achievement for a village club. Richard has skilfully managed the internal politics of running any organisation extremely well, getting on with everyone and resolving any issues.

“Richard also encourages the young people who come along to train at the club. Often more than 60 young people attend at the club on a training night. Richard also works hard at every fundraising event and also has been insistent on raising money for other local charities as well as club funds.”