This year’s Midsomer Norton’s Civic Service was hosted on Sunday, 18th June by Welton Baptist Church at Somervale School. Local residents and representatives from community groups celebrated community life with hymns, readings and prayers before the event culminated with the Midsomer Awards.

“As a Council, we continue to be very keen to acknowledge those who give their time volunteering and make such a huge difference to our town. This year, there are ten awards to people nominated by residents, community groups and councillors,” said Cllr Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton.

This year’s awards included: Lifetime Achievement awards to Pete Barter, a member of the Midsomer Norton Accordian Band for 62 years – founder member of the Midsomer Norton Short Mat Bowls Club, which celebrates twenty years this year, Chair of the Midsomer Norton Old Tyme Dance Club for nearly twenty years, and committee member of the Somer Centre since its formation, being Chair for the past five years.

Other Lifetime Achievement winners were: Heather Bray, as leader of the British Legion Poppy Appeal and Marjorie Gilson, in recognition of the level of outstanding community volunteering over many years.

Contribution to Civic Life went to Rev. Christopher Chiplin, Business Initiative of the Year went to the 2016 Midsomer Norton Carnival Sponsors and Youth Group Leader of the Year was awarded to Helen Jones, in recognition of her dedicated work with the St John Ambulance Cadets.

Community Youth Group of the Year went to Girlguiding at Rock Hall, for their work to transform the Rock Road premises.

Community Group of the Year was awarded to the Royal British Legion and Community Volunteers of the Year to Lynn Plumley and Rosemary Blatchford.

Medals, trophies and commemorative certificates were presented to the award winners in front of a large audience, representing many of the community groups in Midsomer Norton, as well as Town Councillors. Following the service and the awards, a reception was held at which award winners enjoyed the opportunity to meet each other and members of the community over a cup of tea and a selection of homemade cakes, made of course, by volunteers.