The 2008 State of the District
Debate and Citizenship Awards were held on Wednesday, September 17,
at Wensleydale School in Leyburn.
Once again a number of residents and councillors attended the
event to discuss pressing issues facing the district - and to
reward some of its most hard-working citizens.
Photos of the Citizenship Awards Ceremony and the
State of District Debate can now be
viewed here.
The sixth annual event saw residents split into small groups to
discuss public engagement & access, fuel poverty and
recycling.
The groups discussed: -
Access to Service
- Are there any barriers to accessing our services?
- How can the Council improve access? What more should we
be doing/plus priorities?
- How do you rate the level of customer service when you contact
us?
- Do any groups/communities find our services more difficult to
access? How can we change this/priorities?
- How do you think the Council could/should change to become a
more engaging Council?
Fuel Poverty
- How aware are people of fuel poverty, its causes and
effects. How can we raise awareness?
- Do people know what help is available - how can we raise
awareness and promote more take up?
- How can we help and motivate people to reduce their energy
use?
- What help and support should be given to people in fuel
poverty?
Recycling
- Where do the materials go to and what is 'wrong' with it going
overseas?
- Why do we only collect certain materials and/or why only
plastic bottles?
The issues raised during the debate can now be viewed by
clicking
here.
The debate was followed by the Citizenship Awards which
following their success in 2007 were now in their second
year. The initiative aims to highlight the district's unsung
heroes, the people who deserve special recognition for the work
they have done in their communities.
Citizenship Awards were made in four categories; and the
shortlisted nominees were:
- Young Person of the Year - Harry Lindley, Stephen Wilson
- Volunteer of the Year - Keith Allen, Donald Cline,Graham
Hodge, George Lundberg, Sheila McLaren, Arthur Strickland
- Community Initiative of the Year - Joint Amateur Boxing Scheme
(JABS), Reeth Artyfacts, Leyburn Arts Centre Ltd, Richmondshire
Area Motorcycle Project (R.A.M.P)
- Entrepreneur of the Year - David & Lesley Droy (Droy
Metalworks), Andrew & Maria Henshaw
All the award winners, highly commended and commended nominees
in the 2008 Citizenship Awards.
The award for Young Person of the Year was this year
particularly difficult to judge. The two nominations were
equally worthy contenders and therefore this year there were two
winners. The first joint award went to Stephen Wilson,
in recognition of the time and effort he has given as one of the
Georgian Theatre Royal's youngest and keenest
volunteers. He is extremely versatility which has
seen Stephen take on many roles. Staff and older
volunteers at the Theatre have been amazed by his skill and
exceptional initiative, demonstrating a maturity well beyond his
years.
The second award went to Harry Andrew Lindley, an inspirational
young man who has notched up more than 500 hours as a Millennium
Volunteer for various charities including Help the Aged, the
Friarage Hospital Shop and the British Red Cross.
The Entrepreneur of the Year category was won by Andrew and
Maria Henshaw, of Mainsgill Farm, East Layton. They
have built up a thriving business selling meat they produce on
their farm together with other local produce such as organic
vegetables and cheese, and the restaurant is a popular stop for
motorists. The business has created a large number
of employment opportunities for local people.
The award for Community Initiative of the Year
went to Reeth Artyfacts, a group of like mind individuals who
give up their time to produce a 'jolly good show' for their local
community with the proceeds being used
to fund future productions and support local charities
and projects.
And Volunteer of the Year was George Lundberg,
who has a wealth of knowledge and talent, especially in the
field of music and gives his time, energy and help to those who
request it. He is the editor of The Reeth Gazette and writes
and produces the Low Row Village pantomime. He has also been
one of the key figures in the resurrection of Leyburn
Band.
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