THIS year’s Melksham Person of the Year has been chosen as Sue Mortimer for her work running Melksham Community Meals while the town’s first ever Group of the Year is the community transport group, Link.
The winners of the competitions, run by Melksham News, were chosen by a panel of judges comprised of last year’s winners Nathan and Kirsty Cortilla of The White Hart in Atworth; mayor Jon Hubbard; chair of Melksham Without Parish Council Richard Wood; and editor of Melksham News Ian Drew.
Person of the Year, Sue Mortimer, won the award for running Melksham Community Meals as well as her work for junior parkrun, the local walking netball team, and helping children with their reading at the library and Bowerhill Primary School. She successfully led a campaign to save the lunch service after it was axed by Wiltshire Council in 2018 and last year found a new home for it after increased costs meant it had to move out of the Assembly Hall.
“I was surprised and delighted to hear I had won Melksham’s ‘Person of the Year 2019’,” said Sue. “I have had lots of support and congratulations from people in the town about the work I do. But everyone who was nominated is a winner. Melksham is such a lovely town and you only need to read the Melksham News to see all of the great things people are doing. I am very proud to be from Melksham and have always loved it.
“My work with Melksham Community Meals is helped by a wonderful team behind me. We have two cooks and a loyal group of 12 volunteers who make the service happen. So a huge thank you to them also, and the lovely users of the service too.”
Other nominees for ‘Person of the Year’ were: Tim Carpenter for his voluntary work cleaning bus shelters, road and street signs; Linda De Santiz for her voluntary work supporting a number of local groups including SW in Bloom-Melksham, Melksham Food and River Festival; Craig Murray for bringing junior parkrun to Melksham, and Robbie Newton for raising over £13,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The first recipients of the new Group of the Year award were Link for their charity driving service, ensuring people in the town and beyond get to medical and other appointments.
“We are delighted to receive this award as we have such hard working volunteers that get so much satisfaction from helping the community,” said the group. “It is fantastic to be recognised but well done to all of the other well-deserving nominations, it’s clear that you also give a lot to the community.
“We are always needing more drivers. This role involves as much or as little time to suit individual drivers. There is no regular commitment to a regular day or time. It’s a voluntary role using your own car, but you will be reimbursed for petrol/wear and tear. If you have a bit of free time, are friendly and outgoing and love driving, please get in touch for an informal no obligation chat. Please email: melkshamlink@ gmail.com or call 07979 129052.”
Other nominees for ‘Group of the Year’ were: Core Church for providing a free Christmas lunch for the past 13 years; Melksham Carnival; Melksham Christmas Lights team; Melksham Town Football Club; and South West in Bloom – Melksham after winning their third consecutive gold last year and keeping the town tidy
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