Southwark names new Mayor and recognises work of local people at the 2017 Civic Awards

16 May 2017

Community champions, tireless volunteers and local charities were among the 15 receivers of this year’s Civic Awards at a special ceremony this weekend.

On Saturday 13 May, Southwark Cathedral hosted the annual joint Civic Award Ceremony and Annual Meeting of the Council. A traditional part of the annual meeting is the nominations and inaugurations of the next Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Southwark.

Cllr Charlie Smith received the Mayoral chain from outgoing Mayor Cllr Kath Whittam. His Deputy was named as Cllr Jamille Mohammed.

Cllr Smith said: “It is an honour to be made the Mayor of Southwark to represent and promote all of the borough and its many achievements.  Also, we are able to honour, at our Civic Awards ceremony, those people who have contributed with selfless determination and passion to our community. They are an inspiration to us all.”

The full list of Civic Award winners are as follows:

Honorary Liberties of the Metropolitan Borough

  • Anne Bowers – as well as being involved in organising the Bellenden Big Lunch since 2013, Anne has also arranged present collections for refugee children and actively encouraged and promoted community cohesion in her neighbourhood
  • Mike Donovan – founder of the Bermondsey Community Kitchen that trains unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds and offers support to find work
  • Jo Harding – founder of The Pudding Club for mums on lower Chadwick Road
  • Cherie Johnson – who runs a 24 hour service to support young women to change their lives by helping them leave gangs
  • Tina Johnston – as the Older People’s Services Co-ordinator for the Blackfriars Settlement, Tina has been an inspiration for older people’s services
  • Christine Kassim – who has been a member of the support staff at Notre Dame School since 1982. Despite retiring in 1999 she still works as a lunch time supervisor and is seen by many students as a grandmother figure
  • Link Age Southwark – a volunteering charity that connects older people with volunteers to alleviate loneliness and isolation
  • Teresa Marshall – an employment advisor at Pecan for 13 years, Teresa has helped thousands of people build their self confidence and find employment
  • Dorothy McEvoy – a well-known figure in the Newington ward, Dorothy has been a community leader for many years, from organising events to helping older residents with online applications or taking them for hospital appointments
  • Vallin Miller – runs a project called Leaders of Tomorrow, working with young people for over ten years to train them in the art of debate, public speaking and creative writing
  • Beryl Peckham – a Southwark resident for 40 years, Beryl has made an outstanding contribution through her work with the Cambridge House Law Centre
  • Rotherhithe Shed – a free, open-to-all project, though aimed predominately at older, male residents who experience isolation
  • Stephen Whitmore – Special Constable Whitmore initiated the Books in the Nick project to build bridges between police and the local community

Young Citizen of the Year Award – William James Carter

William has overcome considerable disadvantages to record considerable achievement already in his young life. He was diagnosed with dyslexia, but had still won a Jack Petchley Award when he was just 11 for being a great ambassador to his school. After gaining excellent A Level results plus a host of other awards and connections to organisations like Young Leaders UK, he is now National Co-ordinator for Outreach – a student led movement to end atrocities world wide

Mayor’s Discretionary Award 2017 – Robert Hulse

This year’s award goes to Robert in recognition of his work at the Brunel Museum for over 30 years, culminating with the opening of the Grand Entrance Hall this year by HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
 

Page last updated: 16 May 2017

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