Denise Bickley, chair of the Sidmouth Plastic Warriors and partner organistion behind the Champions Awards, writes in today’s Herald:
Remember last year…
One year ago, the world was a very strange place. And yes, I know it still is, but a year ago we were on the edge of something great –coming out of a hideous pandemic that allowed us to dream of coming back bigger, stronger, greener and kinder.
We made a point of thanking those who were helping us – NHS workers, key workers, teachers, neighbours, volunteers. Remember the huge efforts of those who pulled together to ensure that nobody went without food and prescriptions? The shops that changed the way they operated by doing deliveries? The delivery drivers working flat out to meet the online shopping demands? The bin men dealing with Christmas week-sized rounds every week as everybody was working from home? The people who started making PPE equipment for NHS frontline staff who were going to work ill-equipped? The teachers who worked throughout the lockdown keeping the children educated, both in school for some and online for those at home?
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The overwhelming feeling for many of us at the time was a sense of gratitude, and a new found respect for those who kept our country going.
Fast forward a year and it feels like that goodwill and love for fellow man has been put to one side. So many of us are fed up of continued restrictions; we’re tired of being told we can’t see our friends; the confusing messages of large sporting events but small weddings being allowed has jarred with us. Social media is a hot bed of toxicity. Patience has run out. The awful mix of Brexit and Covid has left us with staff shortages, businesses closing, services interrupted.
The Vision Group for Sidmouth, in partnership with the Sidmouth Plastic Warriors, Transition Town Network and Sidmouth Town Council, have decided to do something to try to reverse this trend. We want everyone to think back to those who helped them get through. We have set up three awards, entitled Community, Resilience and Sustainability. We want you to think of individuals, groups or businesses who helped in one of these areas. Community – who activated troops, who made the world more positive, who made sure nobody got forgotten? Resilience – who has adapted to the ‘new normal’, changed their business plan or outlook effectively and inspired others? Sustainability – the one the Plastic Warriors want to reward – who has a business or group that is innovative in its operations, that does not drain resources from the planet and shows us a new way of working, and champions environmentally friendly ways of operating? Which groups improve our footprint? Who works hard to stop us being a disposable society? This is a broad category, looking to champion and share good practice.
We would really love everybody to get involved in nominating people and groups who made a difference to them. We hope to be able to have a ‘real’ awards ceremony, where we can recognise all those who are nominated, and lift the spirits of the town to remind us of that feeling of pride in our community. You can nominate a group, business or individual for just one category if you want to, or nominate for all the categories if you want to – it’s up to you. Please have a look at the website at sidmouth-champions.vgsidmouth.co.uk and follow the link to the very simple form.
Sidmouth News, Sport and Things to do | Sidmouth Herald
photo: File:WP20Symbols CLAPPING HANDS.svg – Wikimedia Commons
