From the Herald:
Two weeks to go to close of nominations
Launched earlier in the summer, there are now only two weeks to go before the final closing date for nominations for the Sustainable Sidmouth Champions Awards.
Set up by the Vision Group for Sidmouth, together with partners the Plastic Warriors, the Town Council and the Transition Town Network, “the Awards are all about recognising and celebrating our unsung heroes,” says the VGS chair Peter Murphy.
“After a tough year and a half, it’s about recognising and celebrating how people have gone out of their way to offer help or support in the local community.”
Peter obtained a grant from the Transition Town Network’s “Bounce Forward Seedfunding” programme – which promotes communities becoming more sustainable and resilient.
Denise Bickley of the Plastic Warriors and chair of the Town Council’s environment committee thought it would be a great idea to highlight the efforts of volunteers – especially during these difficult times.
“So many people have devoted their time and energy to helping neighbours and others struggling over this past year.
“It’s obviously been very tough for all and we feel it’s important to recognise these contributions.
“We want to engage as many residents as possible in these awards and make it a really important, inclusive local event.”
To do that, there will be an awards ceremony next month which will bring together nominees, nomitators and, of course, winners.
Meanwhile, there are only two weeks left before nominations close on 30th September.
There’s an online form at https://sidmouth-champions.vgsidmouth.co.uk/how-to-nominate
And to help out, the Herald is printing a form to complete and send in.
There are three categories for the Awards.
Firstly there’s the Community Award.
As Denise says, “This is a time for us to come together and thank all volunteers for their invaluable contribution, whether shopping and befriending or providing meals for the most vulnerable during lockdown.”
Then there’s the Resilience Award.
As Louise Cole, Director of Sidmouth Community Hub and chair of the Town Council’s tourism and economy committee, says, “Resilience to me is about so many things – the ability to bounce back and to discover alternatives when challenges are faced is just a part of it.”
Peter adds: “We can ask what businesses and groups have adapted best, or who has kept going despite all the barriers in their way.”
And finally, there’s the Sustainability Award.
As Denise asks: “Who deserves an award for thinking about our natural world? Is there a business who always strives to be as ethical as possible, or an individual who has spent the last year working hard to improve the planet, or our local area?”