Let's hear it for community heroes

Seventeen people will be presented with certificates of honour from outgoing Oxford Lord Mayor Susanna Pressel this evening — her last main event as Lord Mayor.

Those receiving certificates vary from the artist who created the soon-to-be unveiled Bonn Square sculpture, to the co-ordinator of Oxford International Women’s Festival.

Several people involved in Oxford’s twinning links will receive certificates, along with those who have volunteered for everything from football teams, to pre-schools, to community associations.

Ms Pressel said: “These are people who have been working away in a voluntary capacity for people in their community or for people who can’t look after themselves very well.

“In many cases they have been doing it for many years.

“It is wonderful to be able to say thank you to people who do so much for our communities and who deserve a very big ‘congratulations’ for all their hard work.”

The awards have been organised in association with the Oxford Rotary Club.

Friends, neighbours, or colleagues were invited to nominate anyone they felt deserved praise for their contribution to the city.

Jonathan Finnerty, 47, from Jericho, first became involved in the Summertown Stars Football Club seven years ago when his older son, William, now 14, joined.

He said: “I don’t do this for the publicity but because it is so totally the right thing to do, keeping kids gainfully and actively employed in worthwhile activity outside school. It was a complete surprise to be nominated.”

He said the club was launching an adult team to cater for children who did not go on to play at university but were too old to be in youth teams.

His younger son Hugh, 10, still plays for the club.

Richard Thurston, 42, from West Street, is chairman of the Osney Island Residents’ Association.

He also helped found the Oxford Flood Alliance following the major floods in July 2007. Mr Thurston said: “It was quite a nice surprise. Lots of people slog away and some of it is quite thankless but you kind of have to battle on.

“It was nice for someone to take a moment to make the nomination, and nice to be recognised for that work. My wife and I moved to Oxford eight years ago and we have tried to make a contribution to the city we call home — so we are pleased to make a bit of an impact.”

He said that despite the fact that the area now had flood barriers, there was still work to be done.

Janet Rose, 56, from Waynflete Road, Barton, has been the secretary of Barton United Football Club since it first began in 1981.

Along with her husband David, who is the club’s fixtures secretary, she helps make sure the club runs smoothly.

She said: “Really my husband should have got it, not me, because I just do the paperwork and sort out all the problems. We have a really good committee and they need recognition too.”

She first became involved when her son Andrew joined — now he runs one of the club’s under nines sides.

Mrs Rose, who is a childminder, said: “You do these things and you think nobody gives a damn so it is nice to be recognised. But mainly I enjoy it — and the kids deserve something to do on Barton.”

Grace Hutchins, 83, lives in Sutton, near Stanton Harcourt, and is a regular volunteer for the Oxford Eye Hospital at the John Radcliffe and for the Oxfordshire Association for the Blind.

She has been helping out since 1995.

She said: “I’ve just been doing anything that comes up that is of any help, talking to people who are worried or need some help, that kind of thing. It was a shock when I found out I had been nominated.

”There are so many people doing volunteers jobs, I feel slightly embarrassed at being singled out.”

She urged more people to consider giving up their time and volunteering.

Mrs Hutchins said: “I am getting on a bit now but I am still active and able at the moment, so I don’t think I will be stopping quite yet.”

Andrea Jones, 68, from Marston, helps out at Mortimer Hall Pre-School in New Marston — something she has been doing for the past 12 years.

She originally became involved when her grandson, Jesse Webb, was a pupil there, and has stayed ever since.

She has acted as treasurer for the organisation but also bakes cakes, organises coffee mornings, and helps with the garden — visiting the pre-school as many as four times a week.

She said: “You carry on and you do think, do they appreciate what I’m doing, then all of a sudden this comes up so they are obviously quite pleased with what I’m doing.

“I was quite overwhelmed and really happy when I got the letter. It was good to know they do care and I am appreciated.”

Mrs Jones said it was unlikely she would be helping out for another 12 years, as her husband had now retired and the couple hoped to be able to do things her commitments to the pre-school had previously prevented.

Others who will receive certificates are:

* Norma Allen, for her work over 10 years on the Bonn-Oxford link.

* Diana Bell, for organising art links and exchanges between Bonn, Grenoble and Leiden, and for her sculpture in Bonn Square which will be unveiled this month.

* Janet Budd, who is the founder member of the Oxford-Leon link.

* Deborah Ceadel, for her contribution to work with homeless people in the city and as chairman of Oxford Poverty Action Trust.

* Christine Eady, who is the co-ordinator of the Oxford International Women’s Festival * Brian Hawtin, for his work with the Lord Mayor’s Educational Trust for Refugee Scholars.

* Michael Kent, for his service at the Links Allotment Association and St Clement’s Family Centre, along with work with people with learning disabilities.

* Neville King, for his work at the West Indian Day Centre.

* Jennifer Mann, for contributions to the Jericho community and Jericho Community Centre.

* Jane Mercer, organiser of the Oxford-Grenoble Association, and for her work as part of the South Oxford Flood Defence Group. * Margaret Stanton, who is a lifetime peace and justice campaigner.

* Sheila Tree, for 50 years volunteering on Florence Park Community Association.