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23 Jan 06Poole Civic Award Winners
A special Civic Reception and Awards Ceremony was held at Lighthouse 
, Poole's Centre for the Arts on Friday 20 January for all the recipients of the Poole Achievement Awards 2006. The Mayor of Poole, Councillor Lou Knight, presented the awards to the winners who each received a Poole Pottery Plate to commemorate the occasion.
This year, awards were given to recipients who have been recognised for their outstanding contribution and have excelled in fields such as charity and voluntary work, sporting achievement and community involvement. The Borough of Poole celebrated these achievements in order to show its appreciation to the members within the community who strive to make Poole a better place to live and work.
This year’s nominations were submitted for individuals, groups, businesses or organisations in acknowledgement of their tireless hard work, generosity, patience and dedication to a number of causes, which each have contributed to Poole’s success as a town.
Mayor of Poole Cllr Lou Knight, said: “All entries received this year were exceptional and very deserving of an Award so it was incredibly difficult to narrow it down. I do think that all those nominated showed incredible courage and strength when faced with challenges of all kinds and I am delighted to be able to present them with their awards. I offer my thanks and congratulations to all of them.”
Award winners:
Edith Kentish, aged 92, worked voluntarily at both the Borough of Poole’s Lodge Hill and Seaview Centres since the mid 1970’s involving individuals and groups in community activities until retiring in 2004. As part of her volunteering activities the mother of Heather, who has Downs Syndrome, gave time to read to people and took the needlework group. She also provided the centre with transport for taking service users out into the community by donating a people carrier, two minibuses and one other vehicle – all from her own funds. She has fundraised for both centres and despite recent ill-health continues to undertake occasional voluntary work to this day.
Lt Earnest Witt has been involved with the Sea Cadet movement for over 60 years. He started as a boy cadet and went on to be an officer at Reading before moving to Poole in 1975 where he joined TS Drax Poole Sea Cadets serving them for 13 years before officially retiring in 1988. He was awarded the Long Service Medal and Bar in that year. Not withstanding his retirement Lt Witt formed the Sea Cadet Band in 1993/4 with just seven cadets but which has since increased considerably and now performs each year at events such as St George’s Day, Remembrance Day and the Mayor’s Annual Fete plus numerous other events and carnivals throughout the summer.
Chris Hurlock runs the Harbour Challenge Sailing School charity created specifically for young people in the Hamworthy and Turlin Moor areas. The school allows young people, who might not otherwise have the opportunity, to try sailing and over 250 youngsters have benefited so far. Chris devotes most of his spare time to the charity and runs the school from own home despite little support from statutory bodies. In 2004 he suffered a heart attack and also needs regular steroid injections in his back but despite his health problems has continued to do his best for young people in the area through raising esteem.
Poole Coastguard Team provides 24/7 voluntary emergency cover for the Poole area carrying out coastal rescues and searches. The 13 volunteers between them complete over 200 missions a year and at busy times can clock up over 40 hours of duties a month each on top of their usual employment. Team members include a nurse, police officer, two RNLI staff, three self employed builders, a physiotherapist, two Council workers, a train guard, electrical worker and welfare officer. The team’s average length of service is 15 years.
Tom Lowe is 16-year-old and has been trampolining since the age of seven, training at Rossmore Leisure Centre. Despite his youth Tom is currently the South West Men’s Champion and National Under 18 Champion and even won an international competition in Belgium in 2005. Last September he competed at the World Age Group Games in Holland where he became the World Champion for the 15-16-year-old male category.
Peter Smith-Nicholls is a community spirited individual who has devoted his whole life to helping others. He is a member of Broadstone Scouts’ Executive Committee raising funds for their new headquarters and even helped to dig the foundations. In addition the keen cyclist has raised £8,500 for charity by cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats and organised the first Dorset Bike Ride in 1989 which has since become an annual event. In 16 years he has raised £400,000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief and is now chairman of the Broadstone and Corfe Mullen branch of the charity.
Maurice Case has devoted much of his time to working for the young people of Poole. He has been Chairman of Parkstone Sports and Arts Centre since 1996, Chairman of Poole and Dorset Adventure Centre since 1972, Trustee of Poole Sail Training Trust, Trustee and Caretaker Chairman of Trinidad Boys Club and was Chairman of the Dorset Association of Boys’ Clubs between 1980 and 2004. Despite moving to North Dorset, Maurice still travels to events and meetings to play a full role in each of the organisations.
Norman Cure started as a volunteer driver for Age Concern 20 years ago and has also been involved with Poole Stroke Club since 1992. Despite driving for Age Concern every day of the week he still helps individuals personally in his own time in endless ways such as visiting and running errands. He helps out on outings, has tremendous knowledge for best places to go and acts as chief mechanic for Age Concern paying for all but major repairs out of his own pocket.
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Jo Satchell has led Poole Netball League for 33 years. During this time she has served on every local netball committee and has also made sure that local netball has a voice at a national level. Over the years she has formed Poole Town Netball Team and West Dorset County Netball Team – both of which still play today. Jo has also formed Doodlebugs – a special club encompassing all generations. It currently has hundreds of players and seven teams playing in local leagues. All the clubs are run by Jo with the help of willing volunteers. Over the years she has been an active player, qualified umpire and highly regarded coach who inspires players to achieve their best.
Chris Wilson is 17-years-old and has been a squad member of Poole Swimming Club for six years training four days a week and is also a member of Poole Athletic Club. He is a multi-talented young sportsman who also took up the Biathlon in 2004 and is a member of the British Biathle Team. In 2005 he became the British Youth Biathle Champion, British Schools Biathlon Champion and winner of the British Biathle Series. He is now in talks with the British Modern Pentathlon Coach Mark Flaherty with a view to helping him train for the Triathlon in 2006 and has hopes to represent Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.
Rachael Mills, Media Relations Manager, Communications, Borough of Poole, tel 01202 633295
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