The individual recipients for the Lord Mayor's Medal 2023
Dr Wendy Morris
Charlton Farm Children's Hospice looks after babies, children and young people with life limiting conditions and their families, supporting them during their lives, at end of life and also in bereavement.
Dr Wendy Morris is nominated for her exceptional and tireless work to keep Charlton Farm Children's Hospice open at the beginning of Covid, enabling the hospice to stay open to care for dying children and those who needed symptom control admissions with their families.
At the start of the pandemic, she quickly realised hospices would not receive PPE for some time and without PPE the hospice would not be allowed to care for families and may need to close.
With families needing urgent and end of life care, this needed resolving quickly. She went to extraordinary lengths to secure PPE from a range of different sources as most health sources of PPE were not available.
She:
- approached all sorts of businesses and organisations to secure supplies
- researched safety standards and was meticulous in making sure supplies met the required standards to keep children, families, and professionals safe
- gave hours of her time voluntarily, training to be a mask fitter and mask fitting all the team
Some supplies were donated but where stocks needed funding, she raised funds. Her selfless determination was crucial in keeping the hospice open.
Esther Pickup-Keller
Esther Pickup-Keller is recognised due to her years of dedication to furthering and consolidating Bristol's link with Tbilisi in Georgia, one of Bristol's twin cities, in Bristol and beyond.
She has also been a school governor at several different schools and a Board member plus Chair of the Bristol Law Centre.
She has been Secretary of the Bristol Twinning Association since 2012 but that job description really doesn't do justice to the time and energy she has devoted to her role. Since becoming secretary she has created a highly successful programme of events for BTA members, maintaining regular contact with them to ensure everyone is aware of upcoming events.
Being quick to realise the potential of zoom talks and determined to keep things going during the pandemic, she came up with the idea of organizing direct links with speakers in Georgia which created a very successful programme of talks and a greatly enriched experience for BTA members.
Over the past 20 years she has hosted countless Georgian visitors and students and dealt the logistics of providing the catering for the annual Georgian Banquet for 100 guests.
She has organised the exchange of delegations between Bristol and Tbilisi involving both the Mayor and Lord Mayor's of Bristol, organised 2 recent trips to Tbilisi and on both occasions carried out recces to ensure the visits provided a rich and enjoyable experience, enabling the visitor to fully experience this remarkable city.
Graham Syrett
Over the past 40 years Graham has made a big contribution to the community of Kingsdown and Cotham in many ways.
He was one of the founders of the national Neighbourhood Watch initiative, with the Kingsdown and Cotham one being the longest running in the country and Graham having run it throughout this time..
Neighbourhood Watch is only one way in how he has served the community though as he has many other commitments including links with the prison, Ashley House, St Matthew's Church, local schools and many local charities..
As a governor of two local schools and coaching in short tennis, woodworking, gardening, IT and science, he spends his time supporting children and young people.
He has supported Duke of Edinburgh award participation and served on the Council's Appeals Committee. Thanks to his fundraising, volunteering and charity work, generations of young people from Bristol to Bolivia have had more and better opportunities to learn and play.
He is most widely known for his newsletter, an email update entitled “Cotham and Kingsdown information” which arrives in subscribers' inboxes two or three times a week. It has helped older people find trusted, reliable traders and brought companionship and support to vulnerable people. It has raised awareness of local crime and helped local businesses and highlighted solutions to those struggling with energy bills.
Hamilton Caswell
For services to the local community (residents and traders) of the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter.
Hamilton has been a member of the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter for over 4 decades. He has been instrumental in setting up the residents and traders association in the early 1900's and has helped steer this unique inner-city community through many developments and changes.
He's a familiar sight at council meetings, neighbourhood forums, waste engagement, consultations workshops - if there's an opportunity to provide community input, Hamilton will be there.
His most significant contribution has been as planning officer for Christmas Steps Arts Quarter as he has ensured the area achieved conservation area status.
He scrutinises every planning application in the area (and further afield), most recently organising residents to resist a large development that impacts the whole area.
It is due to Hamilton's persistent hard work that the architecturally significant Fritz Chapel (attached to the old BRI) still stands, as well as the old BRI itself.
Despite ill health in his retirement, Hamilton continues to dedicate himself to his community.
Hilary Long
For services to the local community of Westbury on Trym.
- established the Village Hall as the centre of community activities, being part of the committee for over 40 years to oversee the refurbishment and maintenance of the building so that it is now a centre for youth and adult sport; a highly sought-after wedding venue and a social events centre.
- promoted fundraising for Westbury in Bloom since 1980's, liaising with councillors and local suppliers to get the best value for money and to encourage local volunteers to maintain flower displays. Most recently her focus has been on improvements to Canford Park.
- overseen planning applications and challenging bids, ensuring the 2015 Conservation Area Character Appraisal is coherent and reflects the ancient history of the Village whilst at the same time as enabling the vibrant business community to flourish.
- developed a photographic archive of Westbury over the past 1300 years, which has been on display at many local exhibitions.
- planned community events including public lectures, Christmas dances and other events in the Village Hall. Hilary has identified speakers, bands and other performers and has been unfailingly enthusiastic in doing so.
Julie Laming
For campaigning and saving Jubilee Pool.
Julie Laming is Chair of the Friends of Jubilee Pool, now a public interest company and registered charity. Jubilee pool is a huge part of the local community and the attempts to close it caused huge concern. Julie was at the head of the campaign to save it.
She committed her time, energy, enthusiasm and passion for the pool over three years, through COVID closure and reopening until Bristol City Council changed their policy and offered Jubilee Pool as a Community Asset Transfer.
She delivered thousands of leaflets encouraging the local community to stand with her and the pool and was key in producing a survey which was sent out to over 40,000 homes, gathering evidence of the desperate need to keep this pool open.
This passion was key in the Council's decision to put up the pool as a Community Asset Transfer which has never been done in Bristol before. She brought a group together to do this, continually finding pro bono support for all of the specialist information required.
After leading considerable negotiations, Jubilee Pool became the first community owned Pool in Bristol.
Manging the pool is a is a challenge, given rising energy costs and pressure on household incomes, but Julie continues to lead and inspire a large volunteer management group and friends to support fundraising and ideas for improvement.
She does this all on a voluntary basis, setting a selfless example to everyone around her.
Ken and Joyce Wooster
Ken and Joyce Wooster have been serving the older residents of Stockwood weekly 2 course meals at the Triangle Lunch Club, Stockwood Free Church since 2010..
- source local minibuses and drivers to transport guests who have mobility issues
- keep in touch with those who haven't been around for a few weeks, just to check that they are ok
- go to town over the annual Christmas lunch which consists of numerous courses of food, gifts for all and musical entertainment
Ken, now aged over 90, faithfully serves those who are often considerably younger than him!
Landon Maynard (youngest medal winner)
Landon is 10 years old and the youngest volunteer at the Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership. He came to the HWCP in early 2022 with an idea of starting a Lego group for families in BS13.
An initial meeting agreed what this would look like with him saying he wanted it to be for families, a place where parents can come and play with their kids, somewhere that didn't cost a lot and was accessible for everyone.
He had researched the positives of playing with Lego (fine motor skills, imaginative play) and said ‘everyone loves Lego'. He (with the help of his mum) then put a call out for donations of Lego and within a week there was enough to start.
He gathered lots of Lego and duplo for younger children, puzzles and books and board games.
He then expressed his interest in taking the group (which was at full capacity in 3 weeks) to Legoland. With a little help, he planned how much it would cost and applied to the Bristol Rotary Club for funding.
He impressed the Bristol Rotary club so much the trip was funded in the summer of last year. Since then, there have been trips to the Seamonster in Weston Super Mare and to a performance of the Nutcracker at the Bristol Old Vic
There are no charges for attending the group, but donations are requested and so far he has collected enough money to buy some new Lego sets for the group. Donations also cover snacks, drinks and small prizes for the competitions which are held, meaning every penny goes straight back into the group.
Landon continues to grow the group and now has an adult volunteer to help when it's at full capacity.
Laura Welti
Laura has been an equalities activist for almost all her adult life, fighting for better local transport, better disabled access on buses/trains, cycling routes that wheelchair users can also use, clean air to benefit all and for better housing.
She represents Bristol Disability Equalities Forum (BDEF) on the Bristol Homes Board, has worked with national housing associations, the Centre for Accessible Environments plus house builders to advocate for accessible housing.
She has been with the BDEF since 2003 and in that time has seen changes which have led to it to it becoming a charity. She has witnessed the increased rights and support for disabled people but also more recently reduction in those rights and support.
A few years ago Bristol City Council changed the way funding was allocated to local action groups/charities including the BDEF who did not receive funding for a 3 year period due to the new arrangements. Together with the trustees, she has fought to keep BDEF not only alive, but growing into a nationally recognised disabled person led charity in Bristol, and elsewhere.
Marian Tucker
Marian was the driving force in setting up the Friends of Clifton Centre and Library (FoCCaL) in 2015, firstly as a committee member and then Chair. She has worked strategically and operationally, leading on grant applications, working with the library service to maximise the effect of the group, put out chairs, moved bookcases and welcomed visitors.
FoCCaL is regarded to be the most prominent, busy and successful friends group in all of the 27 libraries across the city and this is largely thanks to Marian's skills and talents.
She has been involved in setting up the Clifton LitFest, run as a sub-group to FoCCaL and with all profits from the festival going back into the library. The LitFest has run for 3 years and is a huge success with thousands attending.
She has also led on offering Clifton Library as a Welcome Space.
Mary Golledge BEM
Mary has recently turned 90 and is nominated in recognition of her work Begbrook and Stapleton areas of Bristol over the past 50 years, founding the Stapleton and Begbrook Community Association and the Duchess Ladies Club, being active in them ever since.
Since founding the Stapleton and Begbrook Community Association, she has held various roles helping to run it. She has been both Treasurer and Secretary, worked behind the bar (until the Covid lockdown) and to this day, still volunteers there on Sundays.
She founded the Duchess Ladies coffee group which ran for 50 years between 1971 and 2021, giving ladies in the Stapleton and Begbrook community the opportunity to socialise as well as raise funds for local people, charities and good causes.
Over the years, she has also done a great deal of work for work for charity.
This includes:
- volunteering at Headway Bristol at Frenchay Hospital, helping people recover from head injuries by setting up reading groups and teaching cookery classes.
- setting up links between Stapleton and Begbrook Community Association, allowing Headway to use their facilities.
- organising an annual delivery of Christmas shoe boxes to children in Romania, Kosovo and now Ukaine, through the charity Blythswood Care
Mike Alden
Mike runs Park Knowle Football Club. When Mike was very young, he was diagnosed with brittle bone disease, a lifelong genetic disorder. He has lost count of how many bones he's broken but thinks it's almost every bone in his body.
He is registered disabled, uses a mobility scooter to get around and walks with a stick. He was football mad from a young age and determined not to miss out on the sport he loved, joined his first football club at 8, continuing play from cub, scouts, throughout school and into adulthood, winning trophies along the way. At the age of 35 and whilst playing in a match, he sadly broke his ankle, ending his footballing career.
Since then, he has worked tirelessly as a volunteer to develop football opportunities as part of The Park FC for the communities in Knowle West, where he has been based for many, many years. This work has included offering football for adults, juniors and adults with disabilities and learning difficulties.
Aside from the wonderful opportunities he has provided for people to play football, he has made a huge impact on the community, building a legacy by providing a place for young people, their parents and families to come and be part of something, all whilst facing his own, personal challenges.
Mohindra Singh Chowdhry
Mohindra has devoted his life to improving cross-community understanding and cohesion, especially between the Sikh community and the wider Bristol community.
He is President of the Punjabi Forum International, Patron of the Indian Community of the West of England and a member of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum.
His contribution towards the erection of the Sikh Peace Memorial and Remembrance Garden in Castle Park must be recognised and under his leadership, the Punjabi Forum International has become a platform for inter-cultural social harmony and community well-being, encouraging Sikhs across Bristol and beyond to take an active role in the life of the communities in which they live.
His introductions between Sikhs and civic leaders have bridged gulfs between communities by raising awareness of cultural and religious traditions.
Pat Morgan
Pat is a keep fit teacher, teaching three groups of older women, some with specific mobility or health issues. She runs two classes in Stockwood on a Monday evening and a Thursday morning plus one at St Peter's Church Hall, Henleaze on Tuesdays.
She celebrates her 90th birthday this year. Pat trained to be a dance therapist and worked for many years at 'Dance Voice' in Wedmore Vale, Bedminster.
Pat also trained to be a Keep Fit Association Teacher and 30 years ago was holding twice weekly classes at the Imperial Ground Westbury Park Methodist Church Hall. This third class, on a Tuesday morning, meant a bus-ride from Brislington to North View, leaving at 08.15, before she could use her
Dr Razvan Constantinescu
Razvan has been involved in charity work in Bristol for many years but when Russia invaded Ukraine, he set up the ‘From Bristol with Love' charity from scratch and in his own free time.
Since the invasion, the charity has overseen over 4,000 boxes of aid delivered to Ukrainian refugees. The focus was initially on food, toys for children, basic toiletries, etc but this soon diversified as the charity's resources grew.
The charity has had at least 50 different volunteers alongside the regular ones and needed to find bigger headquarters. He reached out to organisations and negotiated the use of a disused warehouse, which is now the base of their work.
He liaised with Ukrainian officials and found a maternity hospital in Odessa which was desperately short of specialist equipment for treating premature babies. Razvan sourced this equipment, worth thousands of pounds and saw it was safely delivered to Odessa.
He is passionate about his own community, having held the role of Honorary Vice-Consul for Romanians in Bristol and since 2011, he and his wife have also been collecting clothes and toys for an orphanage in Romania.
Sarah Rogers
Sarah is nominated in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Hillfields community.
Moved by a desire to create connections and support the mental health and wellbeing of residents, She began Hillfields Community Garden during lockdown. It began life as a patch of grass in the corner of Hillfields park with a whole heap of vision and ambition.
After seeking permission from the council, she began fund raising and along with a small group of (mostly) mums, set to work creating raised beds and planting them up. A small orchard, benches and wildflowers followed
Today the garden supports four groups that are all unique in Hillfields and bring the community together to get to know one another, learn new skills, to create, grow and share.
Building on this Sarah has held community fairs, lantern parade and workshops, summer picnics, Imayla workshops and was awarded with the Your Parks Happy and Healthy award in 2021 for the outstanding contribution to green space and the local community.
She is also heavily involved in the local library Friends of Group, helping to manage volunteers and deliver activities such as Lego clubs and theatre productions.
More recently she has set up two welcome spaces – Silver Explorers – a social group for older adults where all are welcome to come, have a warm drink, get information, free food and newspapers. Both are proving vital during the cost-of-living crisis.
She has done a lot of this on a volunteer basis, and when asked how she does this alongside her paid work and family life she answers simply ‘if not me then who?'
Shane Richardson
19 years ago, Shane was part of a group of young people who transformed an unused and practically avoided part of Willmott Park in Hartcliffe into a futuristic space called Spacemakers for literally everyone.
Now his hard work has resulted in improvements including renewal of a seating, removal of graffiti, repaired railings, flower planting and twice weekly litter picks!
He is continuing the original objectives of Spacemakers, namely, to involve youth in the project and by doing so develop a feeling of community, create a level of ownership within the local community, improve the self-worth of young people and to improve career prospects of young people.
There is also ongoing support for Hartcliffe Football Club and their need to have a home pitch, after too many years without one.
Sue Farrance
Sue is the regional co-ordinator for Operation Christmas Child, which organises shoe boxes full of goodies and essentials to be delivered to disadvantaged children across the world. Her charitable work has helped to raise the money to send the boxes overseas
From the base in Stockwood, in 2022 she was responsible for the organising and onward transmission of over 4,500 shoeboxes. These shoeboxes bring joy and hope to children sadly lacking in both now. This year the donations were sent to Ukraine but previous years have been sent to Africa, elsewhere in Europe and Asia.
Tony Hall
Tony is the creator and Chair of Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDDA) which aims to make Bristol THE dementia friendly city in the UK. BDAA will be 10 years old in 2023 and Tony's drive is to educate people about dementia so that they see the person, not the disease.
In 2022, he introduced the Dementia Aware Awards which recognises local organisations helping to raise dementia awareness and working towards making Bristol more dementia friendly. 34 awards were given to organisations including the Bristol Hippodrome and Wessex Water.
He is an Alzheimer's Society Dementia Friends Ambassador and delivers many dementia awareness sessions. He prides himself on talking to anyone and engages with anyone to raise awareness. He has personally made over 3000 Dementia Friends including 90 firefighters, 30 local councillors, 16 GP practices, 7 dementia friendly schools, local MP's and mayors.
He has worked unwaveringly to increase dementia awareness in Bristol through engaging with the local community by handing out 4000 dementia guides (to retailers and other organisations) and running webinars.