An longstanding, active and stalwart member of local society, Ian Skinner, has been awarded a BEM “for services to the community in Sidmouth and the Sid Valley”:
The release of the New Year Honours provides an opportunity to celebrate individual outstanding achievements and contributions to British society.
East Devon residents named in 2023 New Years Honours List | Sidmouth Herald
Ian is a founding member of the Vision Group for Sidmouth – back in 2005:
Background and history – Vision Group for Sidmouth
He has been central to the work of the Lions Club:
Sidmouth Lions – How Lions cooperate to make a difference
He has been honoured before – in 2012:
Ian drives a charity minibus, campaigns over dementia issues and to help carers, and has been a member of the Lions Club of Sidmouth for 26 years.
Ian is currently chairman of the Sidmouth Locality Health and Care Team that highlighted a lack of local facilities for carers and the people they care for in Sidmouth – particularly those suffering from dementia. He is also a member of a working group set up last July following the closure of a mental health facility at Stowford Lodge.
Unsung Sidmouth hero Ian ‘honoured’ at jubilee gesture | Sidmouth Herald
And in 2018 he was made Citizen of the Year:
Ian Skinner has lived in the Sid Valley for more than 40 years and was told this week that he deserved to win the accolade many times over.
His involvement with the Lions spans back to 1986 and he has held the position of president eight times. Ian has played an important role in the annual Duck Derby and his charity efforts are vast. Among them, he has arranged trips to the Manor Pavilion Theatre for people who could not otherwise see shows, and organised an annual lunch for the elderly.
In November 2012, Ian was the driving force in the setting up of the Sid Valley Food Bank. He also played a crucial role, some 26 years ago, in the town getting a swimming pool at the Ham.
‘Legendary Sidmouth Lion’ Ian Skinner is named town’s Citizen of the Year | Sidmouth Herald
…