‘Champion’ for older people is awarded the Laverton Cup

WESTBURY resident, Daphne Lyons, has been awarded the Laverton Cup by Westbury Town Council for her service to the elderly in the town.

The cup is presented to a different resident each year who have previously won a civic award, and it is awarded to those who go above and beyond for other people in the town. Daphne was awarded the Laverton Cup at a meeting of the town council last week for her long-standing support to the elderly.

Her nomination reads, “Daphne Lyons has dedicated herself to a lifetime of service to the elderly and infirm. She is a true older person’s champion who has not just provided a friendly face, but has helped people in crisis, cleaning homes and providing advice and guidance on money matters.

“She has even cleared homes so that folk can move into residential care or so it can be sold. To cap it all, she is the only Westbury resident to have received a double civic award.”

Daphne was awarded a Civic Award in 2018 for her previous work with the White Horse Day Centre in Grassacres Hall.

Speaking about being awarded the Laverton Cup, Daphne said, “It was quite a surprise to be recognised in this way as I picked up a Civic Award not too long ago, but now I have two awards to go on display!
“Thank you very much to the town council for their nomination.”

The Laverton Cup, created for local benefactor, Abraham Laverton in the 19th century, was given to Westbury Town Council by former mayor, Ian Cunningham, to be presented to a worthy citizen of the town. The cup displays a repousse lion mask, floral and swag decoration, and is engraved ‘Presented to Abraham Laverton esq. by the middle and working classes of Westbury, expressive of their gratitude for his munificence in erecting the Laverton Institute and thus contributing so greatly to their hitherto limited means of amusement and edification, January 26th, 1874.’

Previous winners have been Leander Morales in 2023 for his work to promote the town and its growing events throughout the years and Mike Pearce in 2022 for his continued contribution and philanthropic services to the town, in particular his work with Westbury Lions and Bratton Community Orchard.