FOR THE first time ever Calstock is to recognise stalwarts of the community with a Citizen of the Year award.

Council chairman Jim Wakem has launched the award after witnessing amazing acts of kindness by people within the parish villages over many years.

‘I had seen a Citizen of the Year award run in Callington and thought it was a great idea,’ he said. ‘It was something I wanted to do when I became chairman but we have had to put it on hold because of the pandemic.

‘We have so many people who do wonderful things in the Calstck parish for others. They are the unsung heroes.

‘We want people to nominate either a person or a group that they think is deserving of the award. We know it will be hard to judge the winner but I’m sure those nominated will be really pleased to have been thought of.’

Cllr Wakem said in future years the award could be expanded with more categories.

Nominations for the Citizen of the Year award have to be in by Friday, April 8.

Nominees should be those who have contributed to community living within the parish either by fundraising, carrying out activities voluntarily, co-ordinating services for vulnerable/elderly or young people voluntarily, or done any other service for the parish or wider community.

They should be a resident or have lived in the parish for a significant number of years.

Deputy parish clerk Clare Bullimore said anyone from the five parishes of Calstock could be nominated — Gunnislake, Calstock, Harrowbarrow, Delaware and Chilsworthy.

‘The only other stipulation we make is that nominees can’t be councillors,’ she said.

‘There are so many lovely people in the parish and its important that they are appreciated.’

Clare said that some of the projects that had involved the community in recent years had been Speedwatch at St Ann’s Chapel, foodbank parcels, decorated telephone boxes, tree planting for the Forest for Calstock and work to clear vegetation and make Gunnislake Station more attractive.

She said volunteers were being sought for a memorial garden in Gunnislake and the community effort during the recent water supply crisis had seen amazing compassion from residents, helping both neighbours and those further afield by bringing water supplies to the door and giving support.

See this week’s Tamar Valley Times for a nomination form to fill in and cut out and return to the council. You can also email your nomination to: [email protected]