WESTBURY’S Person of the Year 2010 is funeral director, Arthur Mays.
Hundreds of votes came in thick and fast after we named your five candidates for the annual competition, which seeks to recognise an individual in the town who deserves recognition for their actions and their impact on life in the town over the past year.
Arthur has been a funeral director in Westbury for some 60 years, and was nominated for his kindness, thoughtfulness, and help towards clients who are going through a difficult time.
Arthur said, “I feel very honoured, it’s far beyond what I should do, I’m only doing my job!
“I’m a lucky man, I’m 86 and still ploughing on. It’s the people who give me the pleasure, not the other way round.
“When you do a job you should treat it as a life experience, because that’s what it is. I’ve been doing it a long, long time and the population has changed considerably, but they’re all lovely people.”
Arthur Mays grew up in Heywood and then moved to Westbury when he married. He continues to run his own business, Arthur W. Mays, in Warminster Road.
One of Arthur’s nominators described him as “a very honest outstanding man, his job to him isn’t a job. He always takes pride in everything he does, and always has your feelings at heart. He has more than helped so many people through their loss, one amazing, remarkable gentleman.”
Ian Drew, editor of the White Horse News presented the winner’s shield to Arthur last week.
Ian said, “I’d like to congratulate Arthur on being this year’s winner of the ‘Person of the Year’ competition. All of the nominees work extremely hard for their local community and they all have reason to be proud. We hope this award helps to highlight all the fantastic work which is carried out to help make Westbury such a great town.”
With around 70% of the votes, Arthur was a clear winner. In second place was 9-year-old Jamie Harper, who spends his free time litter picking around the town. Third place went to Keith Miller, who was nominated for his work in education and who is also involved with promoting the heritage of the town.
The other candidates were Stephen Cox, nominated for his work with the White Horse Karate Club, and Neil Tribick, nominated for his work with Westbury Amateur Swimming Club.
