TO honour the work of ‘Westbury’s greatest benefactor’, Abraham Laverton, Westbury Town Council plans to present an award celebrating philanthropic contributions to the town.
The mid-Victorian silver, two-handled presentation cup and cover was bought at an auction by cllr Ian Cunningham, mayor of Westbury at the time, who believed it should be back in Westbury.
It was presented to Abraham Laverton in 1874 by the working and middle classes of Westbury to say thank you to him for giving the town the Laverton building, seven days before he won the local Parliamentary seat as a member of the Liberal Party. It was the first general election where voters were able to vote in a secret ballot.
The town council is celebrating Abraham Laverton’s 200th birthday this month,
Cllr Ian Cunningham said, “We wanted to do something more formal to mark the occasion of Abraham Laverton’s birthday who has done so much for the town, a lot that not many people know of.
“The cup that I gifted to the town, we thought could be used as a token of reward for those who have been doing great works in the town or a more prestigious award for those who have already been recognised many times in the council’s Civic Awards and has been making a contribution to the town for over 50 years for example.
“It is only a suggestion at this stage, the cup would never leave the town council building as it will always be the town’s cup, but a plinth could be made to honour those who receive the award.”
The town is invited to come together to celebrate the 200th birthday of the ‘town’s greatest benefactor’, Abraham Laverton, on Saturday 14th December from 7pm at The Laverton.
