These Westhoughton people have been awarded for their amazing efforts
A group of amazing Westhoughton people have been awarded for their community efforts.
Westhoughton town mayor Deirdre McGeown handed out the civic awards on behalf of Westhoughton Town Council.
Here are the winners and why they were nominated:
Stephen Freeborn collected the Group Environmental Award on behalf of the work done by the Friends of Westhoughton Station.
The Friends of Westhoughton station meet weekly. They collect litter pick, they plant flowers and maintain the station flora and greenery. They encourage wildlife into the station bankings. They liaise with the Railway Managers and identify any safety aspects to help keep people safe. They report back to the community on a weekly basis via My Westhoughton and are always encouraging others to get involved. Westhoughton station is a credit to the town because of their substantial efforts.
Stephen Freeborn collects the group award from town mayor Deirdre McGeown
Alison Unsworth was awarded the Environmental Award.
On hearing proposals to bring the battery storage facilities to Westhoughton, Alison diligently set about researching their purpose, role in society and value for the community. Over a period of two years she delved into the detail, uncovering a whole range of concerns for the local environment/residents and the wider Westhoughton Community/Borough of Bolton.
Alison showed that not all modern technology helps the environment. Having engaged with local residents and ward councillors, Alison brought together and shared facts that helped drive the local action group. She took to the stand in the Bolton Council planning meeting to represent the Westhoughton environment and residents - not an easy task but she did it so well, with a heartfelt plea for decision makers to understand the dangers to the environment and local folk. Her research and time spent to summarise key facts in just 3 minutes was shown to be significant, with planning permission being refused.
Thank you Alison for helping to educate others about the potentially catastrophic impact of this unregulated modern technology on the environment. Westhoughton will be thankful for your time and effort to protect our greenspace, wildlife and residents.
Alison Unsworth with town mayor Deirdre McGeown
Jayne Caldwell and Annaliese Sims were jointly awarded the Citizen Award.
Jayne and Annaliese run the 23rd Rainbows & 12th Bolton Brownies at St Bartholomew’s School. They are leaders that run both groups and have done so for over 15 years. They are really amazing people who put the girl’s interests first. They organise trips and create memories that will stay with the girls forever. They have a good team around them which they have created.
Jayne (left) and Annaliese (right) with town mayor Deirdre McGeown
The Civic Award was given to Lynne Price.
Many Westhoughton people will remember Lynne as a brilliant nurse. The nomination for her read: “All her patients loved her because she was so dedicated to her job. She has helped with many charities including The Inner Wheel and the Mason’s. Over the years Lynne has made over 25 Christmas Hampers to be donated to worthy causes, I suspect a lot more were made with her own money.
“Lynne is the first person to offer her help, even sometimes when her own health is not good. I think she is 100% worthy of receiving this prestigious award.”
Former nurse and charity fundraiser Lynne Price with town mayor Deirdre McGeown
Having handed out the awards on Monday, town mayor Deirdre said: “Stephen, Alison, Jayne, Annaliese and Lynne have all made an amazing contribution to Westhoughton life, so this is our little way of recognising that and saying thank you.”
