WINNERS of White Horse News’ Person of the Year and Group of the Year 2022 are Duncan Baxter, a local fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Support, and the anti-incinerator group, Westbury Gasification Action Group/ No Westbury Incinerator (WGAG).
Westbury Person of the Year, Duncan Baxter, has been described as a ‘fundraising superstar’ for Alzheimer’s Support, raising thousands of pounds for the charity after being diagnosed himself. Westbury Group of the Year, WGAG, has led protests over several years against the building of a waste incinerator in the town.
The winners of the competition, run by White Horse News, were chosen by Westbury’s mayor cllr Sheila Kimmins and White Horse News editor Ian Drew, following nominations made by local people.
The nomination for Duncan Baxter said, “Duncan has fundraised for the Old Silk Works Club in Warminster, which serves both Westbury and Warminster (including a skydive which raised more than £6,000). He wanted to give something back to the club that made such a difference to him, and which helped him come to terms with his diagnosis.
“He also helps out at the day club, supporting new members and helping them to settle in and feel comfortable. He has done so much for so many people at a time when he is struggling himself with the changes of dementia and memory loss. His positive, can-do attitude is inspiring. He is a retired police officer and still has that sense of duty and responsibility towards others.’
Duncan told White Horse News, “This is a complete and utter surprise. I was only reading the paper last night and to be chosen as Person of the Year is amazing.
“But the award is not for me, but for all the people here [at the club]; they are a fantastic team and we’re like one big happy family.
“My fundraising all started with the sky dive which was a bit strange really as I don’t like flying and I don’t like heights! But I caught the fundraising bug and now I try to do as much as I can to help. “I’m waiting for a heart operation but when that’s out of the way, I’ve got a few things planned so watch this space!”
Lou Gover, manager at Alzheimer’s Support’s Old Silk Works Club said, “The award is so deserved. Duncan is amazing and does so much for the club, not just with his fundraising, but by raising awareness of what we do and in helping other members. We are all really proud of him.”
The nomination for WGAG said, “WGAG have led the campaign against the Westbury incinerator and played a vital role in having the application turned down by Wiltshire Council and referred to the government’s planning inspector. The incinerator is the biggest issue facing the town and WGAG played a key part in organising the protests.”
Speaking about the award, a WGAG spokesperson said, “This award is for the whole of Westbury, as WGAG is representative of the vast majority of the community. We are not a group as such, rather, we are a community, united with the same aim – there must be no Westbury incinerator, in any incarnation, ever.
“The award is a celebration of our community acting in the community’s best interests which is now fully supported at every local government level, for which every member of our community should be justly proud!”
To join WGAG or find out more about what the group is up to visit their Facebook page: WGAG/ No Westbury Incinerator.
Runners up
The other nominees for Person of the Year 2022 were: Michael Pearce for his volunteering efforts at the Bratton Community Orchard, Westbury Apple Day, Westbury Music Festival, Westbury Lions, and Laverton Housing Trust; Robin-Mark Schols for his popular Hilly Helmet Challenge race, which has raised over £20,000 for Brain Tumour Support and Ian Cooper for being the driving force behind Westbury Area Network, home of the foodbank – this includes being the lynchpin behind the recruitment and overseeing the coordination of volunteers, raising awareness of the charity, coordinating with the supermarkets, as well as packing and delivering the food parcels themselves and overseeing the Community Fridge.
The other nominees for Group of the Year were: Laverton Housing Trust and all the trustees for their longstanding commitment to securing affordable housing for those aged over 55 through the Almshouses in Westbury, and Westbury Music for the Mind, for offering people living with dementia and their carers a weekly chance to benefit from the therapeutic effects of making music together and enjoying some time in the week when they are not a ‘person with dementia’ and a ‘carer’.
Westbury Music for the Mind meets every Thursday afternoon from 2.30pm to 3.30pm at the Westbury Leigh Community Centre. The group is run by Wiltshire charity, Alzheimer’s Support, and depends on volunteers. Members pay a nominal £2.50 on the door and the charity fundraises to keep it going. For more information visit: https://www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk/event/music-for-the-mind-westbury
