On Tuesday 15th May 2012 Councillor Peter Main was appointed as the new Lord Mayor of Bristol for 2012-13 during the mayor making ceremony as part of the Council’s annual meeting. The new Lord Mayor is using twitter @brislordmayor to keep people updated on his role and events.
You can watch the mayor making ceremony and the new Lord Mayor’s acceptance speech on this webcast on the Council’s website.
Councillor Geoffrey Gollop will be deputy Lord Mayor for 2012-13.
Some of the best photos from Cllr Geoffrey Gollop’s year as Lord Mayor, a set on Flickr.
The Lord Mayor’s medals award Bristol’s many unsung heroes. All those nominated for a medal either live or work in the city – or serve the people of Bristol through their voluntary and community work or charitable acts. Medals are presented at a special ceremony at the Mansion House.
This year, medals were awarded to:
Mohammed Zaheer Shabir for his work with ‘Building the Bridge’
Mr Shabir has been the Chair of the ‘Building the Bridge‘ Programme Board in Bristol since 2009, the multi-agency ‘Prevent’ partnership for Bristol, which has been crucial in maintaining community cohesion and community safety in the city. In this and as a community leader Mr Shabir works tirelessly to ensure that the Muslim communities of Bristol have their voice heard and works with other communities to increase understanding and unity across Bristol. The Bristol programme has been at the forefront of best practice across the city and has gained the trust and confidence of the communities of Bristol through hard work, dedication and in particular openness and transparency
Ken Stradling awarded the Lord Mayor’s medal for his work in art
Mr Ken Stradling was born and educated in Bristol and after working away for a few years he returned to Bristol, in 1948 joining the Bristol Guild of Applied Art as Assistant Manager, which at that time consisted of a modest two rooms, but was the start of his long association with Park Street and his great interest in the quality of life in central Bristol. Ken Stradling has played an active role within the architectural and design oriented groups in the city and has supported many young craftsmen and women to promote their talents to the regional community. The Ken Stradling Collection, one of the largest private collections in this country of 20th and 21st century ceramics, glass and furniture is now available for the public to visit. The Ken Stradling Collection can be viewed by appointment by calling 0117 926 5548 or by emailing info@chris-yeo.com.
Helen Prewett for her work with Guiding in Bedminster
Mrs Helen Prewett has worked tirelessly for over 30 years to help others in her Bristol area through her leadership of the Bedminster (Smythe Park) Ranger Unit and her service to Bristol Girlguiding and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Helen Prewett was a Brownie, Guide and Ranger in South Bristol and is enthusiastic, highly committed and dedicated to the girls and young women in her group. Through her leadership and support, the young women in her care gain valuable experience, confidence and independence, indeed many have gone on to become Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Scout leaders in their local communities and therefore pass on this legacy of work in the community.
Avril Baker for her work with the Bristol International Festival of Kites over 25 years
Over 25 years Avril Baker has been the driving force behind the Bristol International Festival of Kites and over that time hundreds of thousands have attended the Festival and hundreds of overseas and UK kite flyers have looked forward to their annual visit to a festival that many feel is one of the top kite events worldwide. The weekend Kite Festival has also been recognised nationally as one of the top 50 community events in the UK. Apart from looking after the kite flyers whilst in Bristol Avril Baker works hard to ensure that the Festival encourages families and participation and works with the local community to help promote and support kiting.
Mr Richard Seymour is always supporting various groups and charities. In 2010 as the Chairman of the Residents’ Association of the Dings, this small corner of the city was named as the best Community in Britain in a competition backed by the insurance company AXA, looking to find areas with strong community spirit, which still continues today. Richard Seymour lived in the Dings for 18 years, running ‘Seymour’s Family Club’, a social club that he started, which although no longer exists, provided entertainment in a social community venue for many years. Richard Seymour still supports the Dings community and gives his time, energy and enthusiasm to raising money for charity.
Mr Melvyn Hull is a volunteer computer support worker for the RNIB, helping visually impaired people in Bristol to have access to technology and independence. Mel installs software, sets up hardware, advises on appropriate equipment, diagnoses and solves computer problems and understands what visually impaired people need in order to access computers and the internet. Over the last 10 years or so Mel has given thousands of hours of his own time to sort out computer problems of visually impaired people across the city, thus enabling them to stay connected and participate in today’s digital culture.
Sue Boyd is a highly active and tireless organiser who works hard to achieve real outcomes for the residents of Westbury on Trym and the surrounding area. Sue has been involved in many activities as she continues to contribute greatly to the quality of life for the community through her role as Deputy Chairman of the Westbury-on-Trym Society, as founder member and Secretary of the Westbury-on-Trym Business Association and through her role as community representative of the Neighbourhood Partnership for the area, where she chairs the older person’s working group, organising trips and visits which makes a positive difference to a great many people.
Steve Micklewright Award collected by Chris Williams. Steve was awarded the LM medal for his community work for Snuff Mills Action Group
In 2008 Steve Micklewright became the leading force that set up the Snuff Mills Action Group, which since its formation, has done an immense amount for local people in Stapleton, Eastville and Fishponds as well as the wider population of Bristol. As Chair of the Group Steve was instrumental in securing major lottery funding for projects to increase involvement of local people in improving what had become a neglected and vandalised area at Snuff Mills. Steve has worked tirelessly, involving local people in the area, giving people closer access to wildlife, history and the benefits of their local area than was possible before, and has provided inspiration for setting up other groups across Bristol.
Derek Serpell-Morris, best known as D.J. Derek, was born and bred in Bristol and retired from his first career in accountancy to follow his love of music in a second career. Due to a lively awareness of changing musical styles, D.J. Derek has demonstrated a remarkable ability to tap into the tastes of different ethnic groups and generations. From his one time base at the Star and Garter pub in Montpelier he has travelled far and wide, including festivals at Glastonbury and in Spain, and is well known as a D.J. who speaks on stage in a unique mix of Jamaican patois and unmistakable Bristolian. To be working and totally accepted in a young person’s environment at a ‘mature’ age is highly commendable.
David Sanders is an outstanding member of the local community and the local church. He chairs the Anglican Methodist Church Council and also Redcliffe Care, a church organisation that offers support to the local community. In his role with the Anglican Methodist Church Council David oversees the maintenance of the premises of the Church Centre in Prewett Street, Redcliffe, performing many of the maintenance jobs himself. As part of his role with Redcliffe Care, David oversees the Redcliffe Care Lunch and Social Club, seeing the Club through difficult times and building it up over 15 years to become the success it is today, and is a wonderful to many people.
Ken Jones for his community work in Knowle West
Since his retirement in 2000, Ken Jones has given countless hours of voluntary time and support to improving the quality of life for the residents of Knowle West, building on his earlier involvement as a Scout Leader and work with the Church Boys and Girls Brigade. As a resident of the area for many years he has volunteered on many groups and boards and also played a key role in the consultation process to deliver a programme of regeneration that has been a long-term vision of the Filwood community. Ken continues on the Knowle West Health Park Board of Trustees and works as a Volunteer Walk Leader, taking groups out every week in all weathers.
As a founder of the Bristol Branch of the Samaritans in June 1964, the Reverend Cyril Grant has guided the branch through the early days, finding premises, funding and volunteers, and as Chair of the Management Committee from the early days until the early 1980s he played a major role in developing the charity into a stable and well-established operation. Cyril Grant was one of the shift leaders for many years, providing support and guidance to other volunteers as well as doing regular shifts as a listening volunteer for nearly 50 years, and in this role offering support to innumerable people who were in sufficient distress to bring them to contact the Samaritans.
Mrs Yuk-Jing Li has given her time and support unreservedly to the Bristol and Avon Chinese Women’s Group for the last 21 years. Yuk-Jing Li joined the Group as a member and over the years has played an increasingly active role, taking on various posts of responsibility, such as Treasurer and Chair of the Personnel Sub-Committee, as well as undertaking direct caring, fundraising and organising responsibilities. The Group has flourished under her guidance, and with her help it has spread its services by sharing the Group’s culture with other communities on many different occasions.
Mrs Ann Radnedge has worked tirelessly for the community in Speedwell for many years and was the driving force behind the formation of the Meadow Vale Community Association and is still its Chair today. Ann Radnedge took a derelict building in Meadow Value and has made it the success the Centre is today where those in the local community can benefit from its use through activities and events. Ann helped to construct a Big Lottery Bid for the rebuilding and expansion of Meadow Vale, reaching the Finals but lost out in the television/media vote. However Ann still continues to work to attract funding and grants for a brand new Centre.
Alderman Marmaduke Alderson, a former Councillor and Lord Mayor of Bristol, was the Chairman of the Bristol Oporto Association for 25 years and the Chairman of the Bristol International Twinnings Association for 18 years, both unpaid posts, and has worked very hard over the years to garner all-party support within Bristol City Council and to bring the University of the West of England on board to raise the level of twinning through a co-ordinated partnership approach. His role with the Bristol Oporto Association has been tremendous, including cross-party support, bringing in business contacts and developing the registered charity, the Bristol Oporto Foundation.
