BRISTOL’S UNSUNG HEROES

On the 40th anniversary of the Lord Mayor’s Medals, 19 Bristol residents and one local organisation were honoured yesterday at the annual awards ceremony.

The Lord Mayor’s Medal awards celebrate the achievements and charitable efforts of those who have gone above and beyond for their communities during the past year. This year’s Lord Mayor Medals have been awarded to those who have shown true dedication to improving the lives of their local communities.

The medal recipients were presented with their medals by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Paula O’Rourke, at the Mansion House in Clifton. Councillor Ellie King, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, attended, along with friends and family of the recipients.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Paula O’Rourke, said: “It has truly been an honour to learn about, and meet, this year’s recipients. Their dedication to their local communities and the people of Bristol is incredible. They have all made a huge difference to their communities and have been rightly recognised this year because of their selflessness.

“These awards remind us of the fantastic community spirit we have here in Bristol. I am incredibly proud of the selflessness and community spirit here in Bristol and I am proud to have awarded each recipient with a Lord Mayor’s Medal. I am sure everyone in Bristol will join me in thanking them for the amazing commitment they have to making Bristol an even better place.”

THIS YEAR’S ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE:

Landon Maynard, who at the age of 10, is the youngest volunteer at the Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership and this year’s youngest medal recipient. In 2022 Landon started a Lego group for families in BS13. Within a week of a call out for Lego donations there was enough to start the group. Landon arranged Lego and Duplo, puzzles, books and board games. He was also successful in receiving funding from Bristol Rotary Club to take the group to Legoland, and they have since been on trips to the Seamonster in Weston Super Mare and to a performance of the Nutcracker at the Bristol Old Vic.

Ken and Joyce Wooster have been serving the older residents of Stockwood two course meals weekly at the Triangle Lunch Club, Stockwood Free Church, since 2010. Now aged 90, Ken serves those who are often considerably younger than him. Ken and Joyce ensure this service supports those in need of company, to help reduce social isolation. They source local minibuses and drivers to transport guests who have mobility issues and also check in on those who are not always able to attend. Their annual Christmas lunch consists of numerous courses of food, gifts for all and musical entertainment.

Mohindra Singh Chowdhry has devoted his life to improving cross-community understanding, especially between the Sikh community and the wider Bristol community. He is President of the Punjabi Forum International, Patron of the Indian Community of the West of England, and a member of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum.

Mohindra is recognised for his contribution towards the erection of the Sikh Peace Memorial and Remembrance Garden in Castle Park. Under his leadership, the Punjabi Forum International has become a platform for inter-cultural social harmony and community well-being, encouraging Sikhs across Bristol to take an active role in the communities they live in. His introductions between Sikhs and civic leaders have bridged gulfs between communities by raising awareness of cultural and religious traditions.

The judging criteria for this year’s nomination were:

• Service of the nominee and what is unique, distinctive, or special about it

• How the nominee has enhanced the uality of life for the people and city of Bristol

The Lord Mayor presided over the judging panel, which included councillors from all major parties.

The panel evaluated the anonymous nomination forms and assessed each one based on its contribution to Bristol’s communities, plus the strength of supporting forms.

All nominations put forward were for unpaid work or work unrelated to the person’s career.