THE nominees for White Horse News’ Person of the Year 2017 competition have been shortlisted, and now readers are being asked to cast their vote on who they think should be crowned the winner. In our last issue, White Horse News asked readers to nominate their ‘Person of the Year’ – somebody in the town who deserves recognition for their outstanding actions over the past year or who has had the biggest impact on life in the town. Below are the shortlisted names. You can vote by simply emailing your choice to news@whitehorsenews.co.uk including your name and address or by filling out the form on page 18 and returning it to Westbury Visitor Centre in the High Street or send it to White Horse News, 31 Market Place, Melksham. SN12 6ES The deadline for voting is 3pm next Wednesday, 24th January.
Dr Debbie Beale
Debbie has been a GP in Westbury since 1988 where she began her long-standing career at Eastleigh Surgery. and has been caring for the patients of Westbury for 30 years.
Initially, she was the only female doctor in the Westbury and Warminster area and has seen a great deal of change across the years. She became a partner of Eastleigh Surgery in 1991 and a senior partner since 2004. She has been fighting strongly for nearly 20 years to maintain services in Westbury and has helped to develop and adapt services to secure a future for as long as possible.
Debbie is also a GP appraiser, trustee for Dorothy House and governor for Matravers School. She has also many post-graduate qualifications to ensure her knowledge can be passed to the residents of Westbury and surrounding areas.
In response to her nomination, Debbie said, “I am surprised and very honoured to be considered for this award. It has been a pleasure and a real privilege to be involved in people’s lives. Westbury and its surrounding villages are filled with many characters that have shown me humour and patience over the years. I have been extremely lucky to have worked with and cared for so many amazing people.”
Len Clift:
Len is the chair of local charity Crosspoint which provides a service to enable and support those in our community who have issues relating to well-being, isolation, poverty or distress.
Crosspoint has a drop-in centre where people can be supported with either emotional, psychological, health, housing or financial needs. There is a debt counselling service, a personal counselling service and it also runs a food bank.
Len is also the reverend at Stormore Chapel in Dilton Marsh where he provides an intimate and welcoming atmosphere for people during Sunday services.
Len’s nomination said, “I would like to nominate Len Clift as a candidate for the award. Len has worked for Crosspoint for a number of years now, giving advice and helping others. He has been a stalwart at Crosspoint and also is a pastor at his church in Dilton Marsh.”
Sally Hendry:
Sally is a member of the Heritage Society in Westbury and a key part in sharing the history of the town with the community. The group last year celebrated its 25th anniversary.
During this birthday year for the society, Sally was awarded with the Nichols Memorial Cup for outstanding service to the society and continues her work to raise awareness of people’s local heritage.
Sally also presents talks about topics of Westbury’s history and leads discussions on all aspects of family and general history including a topic close to her – Rebecca Smith, the last woman to be hanged.
She has previously been the community engagement manager for Westbury and volunteers at the Westbury Music and Arts Festival. She has recently become a town councillor for Westbury East.
Sally’s nomination said, “Sally has been an integral part of the Heritage Society and key to its success. She is a valued member of the community and works tirelessly to bring to light Westbury’s history.”
Sally said, in response to her nomination, “I feel honoured to be nominated. I feel very passionate about Westbury and its heritage. I will do anything I can to help promote the town.”
Beth Mullins-Watts:
Beth is a volunteer at Westbury Youth Club and works tirelessly to make sure the children of Westbury have a place to go, meet friends and take part in a whole host of activities.
Since its reformation last year, Beth has had a huge input in planning the youth club parties, fundraising for funds to continue the group, administrative duties, getting stock and running the tuck shop, planning activities for the members, planning social events for the volunteers, sourcing, collecting and buying materials for activities and also dealing with any concerns from volunteers and members.
Beth’s nomination said, “The children were left devastated when the club was forced to close due to a lack in volunteers. It is with thanks to members of the community, like Beth, that has enabled children a safe environment to connect with other children and learn new skills.”
When told about her nomination Beth said, “Wow, I’m shocked by the nomination. All I do is help out with the young people, I was not expecting it!’
Emma Symonds:
Emma runs her own craft shop in Westbury known as E.J.Crafts and has been using her crafting talent to provide Westbury with a beautiful Remembrance display.
She organised the war memorial ‘yarn bomb’ for the Remembrance Service weekend. She is continuing her work this year, supporting the Westbury Area Family History Group who are working on a poppy display that will be at the war memorial and extended to All Saints Church inside and out.
Emma said, “I feel shocked and I didn’t expect to be nominated but I am very happy; it’s good to know that community spirit is alive and well in Westbury.”
Emma’s nomination said, “I would like to nominate Emma Symonds for her wonderful effort in helping Westbury in their act of Remembrance for those who gave their lives in two world wars, by organising the war memorial with the “yarn bombed” poppies. It was an excellent display”.
