Lord Mayor honours individuals and organisations for service to the city
Published: 19 April 2022
The Lord Mayor of Exeter has honoured people for their service and dedication to the city during a prestigious annual awards ceremony.
The Lord Mayor’s Commendation Award is given out once a year by the Lord Mayor to people and organisations who have gone above and beyond for the city.
The Lord Mayor Cllr Trish Oliver read a poem she wrote especially to honour those receiving awards during the ceremony at Exeter’s historic Guildhall.
Those receiving awards were recognised for achievements including charity work, education, vision and leadership and services during the pandemic.
The Lord Mayor told those attending the event that their achievements were made extra special considering all of the difficulties caused by Covid.
She said: “The thing about the Lord Mayoral Commendations this year is that the things you did and achieved, you did in the context of Covid.
“Going the extra mile. Thinking outside the box. In the midst of a pandemic; taking risks yourselves sometimes, to serve others. It is my greatest honour to present you with your certificates.”
The full list:
Grahame Forshaw, Harbour Master
For saving a life, using intuition built on years of experience
Craig Bowden, CEDA
For vision and leadership on providing opportunities to disabled people, and his voluntary work as a trustee for the NeoNatal Trust
Miriam Guard
For sustained and ongoing work to increase inclusion in play and provide accessible play equipment in play parks
Louis Sanderson
For volunteering on Covid wards during the pandemic and his commitment to the NHS
Steve Gallin, Devon Disability Collective
For vision and commitment in providing and overseeing work opportunities enabling disabled people to take their rightful place in employment
St Nicolas Priory
For sharing extensive knowledge and keeping the history of St Nicolas Priory alive
Ellie Mills, Wynstream School
For raising awareness of climate change, through her poem and performance at the Wynstream School tree planting event, for the Queen’s Jubilee tree Canopy
Dan Bickle, Sainsbury’s
For excellent customer service in retail during the pandemic, reducing stress levels of customers with his friendly manner, and for being a role model, inspiring other employers to be more inclusive
Emma Kessie
For commitment to helping people be healthy and active
David Greensmith
For organising the Worldwide Memorial Motorbike Ride - raising money for World Health Organisation COVAX, providing vaccines for poorer countries of our world.
Viola Huf, University of Exeter Contemporary Choir
For, as a non-auditioned choir, providing an inclusive opportunity for students to enjoy singing together and connecting to audiences in an utterly joyful way
James Lush, University of Exeter Contemporary Choir
For, as a non-auditioned choir, providing an inclusive opportunity for students to enjoy singing together and connecting to audiences in an utterly joyful way.
Matt Hulland, Exeter City Council
For education around issues and initiatives to address climate change, engaging Exeter residents successfully
Gareth Sorsby, YMCA
For its vision, hard work and commitment throughout the YMCA St Sidwell’s Studio project, providing high quality home to people moving on from supported living
Adam Baker
For having worked tirelessly on the frontline throughout the pandemic, as well as participating in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge to fundraise for charities encompassing saving lives by air, land and sea; Devon Air Ambulance; RD&E Hospital Charity and the RNLI along with Mind, the mental health charity
Charlotte Fleury
For having worked tirelessly on the frontline throughout the pandemic, as well as participating in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge to fundraise for charities encompassing saving lives by air, land and sea; Devon Air Ambulance; RD&E Hospital Charity and the RNLI along with Mind, the mental health charity