Thank you: Local heroes recognised with Mayor’s Commendations in Cromer

Cromer Carnival stalwartTony West was awarded a Mayors Commendation in the Cromer Honours List. His wife Amanda is pictured receiving the award from Cromer Mayor Tim Adams. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

Tony West, recently described as the spirit of Cromer Carnival, spent his life supporting the annual extravaganza until his death aged 54 last year.

He regularly gave up his holidays to organise the summer festival's children's activity weeks.

The carnival stalwart, who also helped arrange the Grove Road Christmas Lights display and participated in the Boxing Day Dip, has been awarded a Mayor's Commendation in the Cromer Honours List at the Annual Town Meeting in the community centre.

His nomination read: 'For two weeks every year Tony would use his holiday to organise the Carnival Children's Weeks. He helped arrange the Grove Road Christmas Lights and, together with his wife Amanda, participated in the Boxing Day Dip. Thank you Tony for bringing a smile to a lot of faces.'

Also receiving a Mayors Commendation during Wednesday nights ceremony was Cromer and Sheringhams QJ and J Preservation Group. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

Tony's certficate was presented to his wife Amanda who was greeted with a standing ovation.

Also receiving a Mayor's Commendation during Wednesday night's ceremony was Cromer and Sheringham's QJ and J Preservation Group for its hard work and fundraising which secured the restoration and preservation of the hull of a fishing boat belonging to one of the most decorated lifeboatmen in the RNLI's history, Henry Blogg. The boat now rests in the garden at North Lodge.

Cromer Academy's deputy head girl, Ellen Hedge, was presented with the Cromer Mayor's Youth Award for her commitment to the school and community, which has seen her raise hundreds of pounds for charity in the process. She coordinated the shoe box appeal to send presents to some of the world's poorest children and has volunteered at the library for more than three years to support the children's summer reading challenge.

Other Honours were presented to local life-saver Michael Lord, a paramedic around Cromer for about 30 years; lifeboat operations manager Richard Leeds for his support of local events; Janice and Jim Woolston, who run a regular bingo evening for retired people at Meadow Close apartments; Age Concern volunteer and library helper Ann North-Graves for giving her time to others so freely; and Cromer Carnival's security team.

Cromer Academys deputy head girl, Ellen Hedge, with school Principal Dr Geoff Baker and her award. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

Tony's name, along with other volunteers who dedicated their time to the town and have since passed away, are recorded in the roll of honour in a memory book which was read during the ceremony.

Cromer Mayor Tim Adams said: 'The Annual Town meeting serves a very important purpose for us here in Cromer. Not only do we hand out the money raised by donations on the night of the New Year's Day Fireworks to local organisations and charities, we are also pleased to recognise all of those who work in the community to enhance the quality of life of the town and its residents.

'Every year since 1996, we issue a call for nominations from general public for those deserving the awards. For us, it cannot be overstated enough how important it is to recognise those unsung heroes who do everything from volunteer in the community, to clocking up years of service in our emergency services.

'Many of those who receive the awards are familiar faces, but there are also those that often go unnoticed, tirelessly working behind closed doors for the good of the town.

Cromer Carnivals security team were recognised for their support of events throughout the town. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

'The recipients of the Mayor's Commendation are selected directly by the Mayor of Cromer for an outstanding and lasting contribution to Cromer.'

Money raised during the New Year fireworks display was presented as follows: Cromer Community Association - £500; Cromer Christmas Lights volunteers - £500; Cromer war memorial restoration group - £400; Cromer Mardlers at Cromer Museum - £200; Cromer VEO art week - £300; Cromer VEO security - £150; Age Concern North Norfolk - £500; Norfolk Accident Rescue Service - £500; Seaview Pre-School - £500.

Cromer lifeboat station operations manager Richard Leeds was honoured for his support of the town. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

Janice and Jim Woolston, who run a regular bingo evening for retired people at Meadow Close apartment, accepted their honour from Cromer Mayor Tim Adams. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

Age Concern volunteer and library helper Ann North-Graves was honoured for giving her time so freely to the town. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

Local life-saver Michael Lord, a paramedic around Cromer for about 30 years, was honoured for saving countless lives in the town. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

Cromer Mayor Tim Adams and town council clerk Julie Chance share a smile during the ceremony. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

Cromer remembered the volunteers no longer present who dedicated their time to the town. They had their names recorded in the roll of honour in the towns memory book which was read during the ceremony. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

Cromer Academys deputy head girl, Ellen Hedge, was presented with the Youth Award for her commitment to the school and community. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)

Cromer community centre was packed for the town honours ceremony. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)