Mayor's awards 2005
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The annual Mayor’s Awards for Citizenship recognise local people’s achievements and involvement in a range of good works including services to the community, long service in volunteering, work with young people and commitment to fundraising for charity.
Local residents were invited to nominate people for a mayor’s award during an advertising campaign at the end of last year asking: Who’s your local hero? A panel including the mayor, a community representative and former mayor Cllr Doris Hinkley had the unenviable task of shortlisting those to receive awards.
Cllr Abid said: “These awards are a good way for us to thank those who serve and support their community in so many ways, making such a positive difference to our lives. I’m delighted to be able to publicly honour those who help others with no thought of themselves, without whom our local community would be a poorer place. It is a pity everyone who acts selflessly on behalf of others cannot get an award, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of them too.”
This year’s recipients are:
David Cowling
David was a founder director of the Grassroots voluntary organisation which began 10 years ago, and was indeed the architect of the whole Interfaith project in Luton. He invited people from all walks of life to make contributions to build understanding between communities from diverse backgrounds whether it be religious, cultural or national.
David came to Luton in the early 1990s and understood the complexities of inter-community relations. From this time onwards he launched the interfaith project in Luton which culminated in the formation of the well known Luton Council of Faiths, which is today owned by the faith communities themselves.
People in Luton know David to be a humble, docile and sensitive worker who was always happy to remain in the background, away from the limelight. Although now living in Southampton David has made numerous friends in the town, some of which are delighted to have nominated him for the Award.
Gloria Mills
Gloria runs a group called Behavioural Awareness, which provides advice and support to families and children with behaviour and behaviour – related problems. Gloria has helped turn peoples lives from desperation to being able to cope and fully enjoy life again.
Not only is Gloria involved in the behavioural awareness group (BAG) but she also advises and supports families and couples who have mental-health related problems. Her dedication and commitment to the group and its members is truly inspirational and Gloria is an absolute credit to our society.
Mary Goldsmith
Mary has been on the governing body of Pirton Hill Junior School for at least 27 years and has acted as the Chair for at least the last 17. In this time she has worked tirelessly for the school, and the children in particular.
Over the years she has been not only a governor and an inspiration to those around her, but also a very good friend to various heads, staff, and pupils, giving not only her time but also the wealth of experience freely and gladly to those who sought it. There have been many a time when a situation has arisen that could have become a crisis, but thanks to Mary being on hand with common sense and good judgement, the crisis was averted.
Mary is also the Chair of Luton in Bloom after standing in as Acting Chair two years ago.
Margaret and Brian Williams
Margaret and Brian are known to numerous people for the flower and adjoining hairdresser shops they run in Stuart Street. They are also known for the tireless work they both undertake for the Pasque Hospice, especially over the past few years raising thousands of pounds through fund raising events such as themed meals and running charity stalls.
Ruth and Maria Allison
Ruth and Maria are both totally committed to working with Mencap. They organise and run the social and drama club and also take an active role in regular social events such as discos, buffets, dinners, beauty days and outings. Ruth is also the Administration and Welfare Manager.
Every year they hold a show or pantomime, which they write the scripts for, make the costumes and direct and produce the performance. All the performers give their best to the shows and provide marvellous entertainment for their audiences.
All of the members of Mencap, their families and friends respect, admire and love both Ruth and Maria very much and they all act as one, big happy family. This was witnessed by last years Councillor Doris Hinkley during her Mayoral Year, when Mencap was chosen as one of the Mayor’s Charities for 2004/5.
Denis Mulligan
Denis came to England in August 1959 and worked on the building of the Co-Op department store and Vauxhall Motors. He joined the United Bus Company in 1962 as a Conductor and went on to drive the buses in 1963. He then became interested in the working of the TGWU and was elected Chairman of the 5/449 branch and went on to become a member of the Executive Committee, followed by an Inspector for the Committee in 1979.
Denis was appointed as a Magistrate for Luton in 1986. He has always been involved in fundraising for good causes and in particular has helped in raising money for the building of the Pasque Hospice. He started a deduction from wages scheme to sponsor a nurse at the Hospice which is ongoing today. Denis became Treasurer of the Cavan, Beds and Herts Association in 1988 which is obviously a reflection of younger days when his father worked on Lord Farnham’s Estate in County Cavan, Ireland.
During his time in Luton Denis has made numerous friends throughout the town.
Chris Thomas
In 1946 the Luton Music Club was formed and for the last 32 years Chris has been an integral part of the Club as well as being a member of the management committee. He is currently Chairman, a position he has held for a number of years.
The Music Club has been nationally recognised for many years as one of the most enterprising, voluntary music societies in the country.
Promoting an ambitious season of 21 concerts each year with a professional management team would be an impressive achievement but to undertake it in Luton with a small team of volunteers and a tiny budget, is truly remarkable. Much of the credit for this is due to Chris.
When he is not managing and directing Luton Music Club, Chris has a regional role as Vice-Chairman of Making Music (East) which is a constituent part of the National Federation of Music Societies. In this role he is continually promoting the interests of Luton and helping to maintain that interest at the forefront of the classical music environment.
Bobby Mudhar, Kuldeep Puar, Baljinder Ahir, Majid Rashid, Khalid Latif, Amar Azam and Shahaid Mahmood
The Mandip Mudhar Memorial Foundation was set up by Bobby Mudhar in memory of his brother, who died in a road traffic accident in 2001. With the aim of bringing positivity out of tragedy the charity holds a football tournament every year to raise money for local charities, bringing diverse communities together to break down cultural barriers and to encourage access to careers in sport for disadvantaged groups through partnerships with local colleges and sporting associations, and to raise awareness and importance of organ donation within ethnic minority groups.
The Memorial Fund is all about youngsters raising money for other young people, and Bobby, Kuldeep, Baljinder, Majid, Khalid and Shahaid are the mainstays of the Fund who work tirelessly.
