This year’s Midsomer Norton Civic Service was hosted last Sunday by Midsomer Norton Methodist Church. Local residents and representatives from community groups celebrated community with hymns, readings and prayers before the event culminated with the Midsomer Awards.

Cllr Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton, said:“As a Council, we continue to be very keen to say thank you and 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.”

A Lifetime Achievement award went to Dick Graham, who joined the RAF in 1942 as a boy and went on to serve in India and Germany. He left the RAF in 1956, with the rank of Sergeant and joined the Royal British Legion. He has written four books and is working on a fifth. For the last decade, he has been the compère at the Remembrance Sunday parade at the town’s War Memorial – reading out the names and organisations of those laying wreaths.

Another Lifetime Achievement award went to Kathy Dymond, for the many years she was supervisor of the school meals at Midsomer Norton Primary School. Kathy went on to volunteer for many years as leader of the Tuesday lunch club at Midsomer Norton Methodist Church. She has given a great deal to help make our community a better place.

A final Lifetime Achievement award went to Hazel Franklin. The Carnival is one of the town’s most loved annual events, and it can only take place because people give up their time to organise the route and create amazing carts.

Midsomer Norton was instrumental in establishing the Carnival Circuit in 1947. The space was lost in 1961, and it wasn’t until 1975 that Carnival returned to the town. For over forty years, Hazel has been Secretary of the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association, giving her time and energy to not only keeping Carnival alive, but also working tirelessly to see it return to the High Street and meet the modern Health and Safety challenges.

A Business Initiative of the Year Award went to the Somerset and Dorset Railway. Cllr Myers said: “As our local economy evolves to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, tourism is a key opportunity for Midsomer Norton. Our premier tourist attraction, bringing in thousands of visitors a year from around the globe, is our much-loved Somerset and Dorset Railway. With an opportunity to ride on steam trains and a wonderful year-round programme of events – the S&D do a fantastic job.”

The winner of the Community Campaign of the Year was the 173 Bus Campaign. When a chance comment from a bus driver earlier this year revealed that the 173 bus route was to change, local resident, Chris Smith, began a petition. With pressure put on the bus company, it saw an alternative route agreed.

The award for Community Group of the Year went to Housebound Library Service/Eileen Colburn. Eileen is the Co-ordinator for the Housebound Library Service in Midsomer Norton, and has worked as a volunteer for this service for well over thirty years. Eileen and her volunteer team use their own transport and choose, deliver and return books for people who are unable to get to the library themselves. As such, this is both an individual recognition and a team effort Award.

The Youth Group Leader of the Year went to Siobainn Chaplin, from Off the Record, in recognition of her work over many years supporting the young people in Midsomer Norton. Beginning in youth work, Siobainn was instrumental in helping young people turn their dreams for a Skate Board Park into a reality. More recently Siobainn has worked incredibly hard to establish a telephone helpline for young people, based in the Town Hall, and backed by counselling services which are addressing a real need in the community.

The Community Trust Cinema was named Community Project of the Year. Cllr Myers said: “On 9th March, the Midsomer Norton Community Trust achieved something phenomenal – the return of regular screenings of new release cinema films to the town after an absence of 25 years. In true Midsomer Norton style, there was a grand opening ceremony, with The Sperring Trust, which gave a £15,000 grant towards the new cinema equipment, unveiling a commemorative plaque at a formal reception on Friday night, just before the first screening. Also recognised were contributions from Midsomer Norton B&NES Councillors, from their Initiative funds. The Sarah Ann Trust also presented a cheque for £8,000.”

The Community Youth Group of the Year was awarded to St John’s Primary School Quiz Team. St John’s brought honour to the town by winning the national televised competition, ‘Top Class’. Answering questions with lightning speed on a wide range of topics, the team of Izzy, Alex, Carys and John were crowned the UK’s smartest school.

Michael Moxham was named Community Volunteer of the Year. When Michael came to the Town Council to highlight his concerns over access issues to public toilets in the town, a process began which has seen significant improvements. He worked with B&NES on the design of the toilet in the new Library in the Hollies, and the disabled toilet facilities have been upgraded in the Town Hall as a result.