A CROWD of unsung community heroes from across Tendring have been named in the district’s version of the New Year’s honours list.

A total of 15 people have been chosen for this year’s Pride of Tendring Awards, which began eight years ago.

The awards, run by Tendring Council, aim to celebrate stalwarts from all walks of life, who make a real difference to those in their community.

District councillors put forward nominations from a wide variety of groups, organisations and individuals throughout Tendring, all very deserving of an award.

Dan Land, Chairman of Tendring Council, thanked everyone who is supporting the awards.

He said: “Right across Tendring there are so many deserving people, and nominations came in from all around the district.

“As always, the standard has been high, and the Pride of Tendring Awards is our small way of recognising some of those who give up their time for our community; not seeking reward or recognition for what they do.

“What a perfect way to start a new decade, I cannot wait to meet, greet and thank the winners at the ceremony in February.”

The announcement will be followed by a special ceremony at Clacton’s Princes Theatre on Friday, February 28, where all participants will be officially recognised and presented with their award.

The awards are sponsored by Orsted Energy and East of England Co-operative Funeral Service, in Clacton.

They are also supported by Beth Chatto Gardens, the Clacton, Frinton and Walton Gazette and the Harwich and Manningtree Standard.

The winner list:

  • Bob and Richard Horlock, nominated by Alan Coley who said they have given countless hours to the parish.

He added: “It is impossible to put a figure on the amount of community work these two special people have done for Mistley.

“Every village needs a Richard or a Bob. We are lucky to have them in ours.”

  • Christine Howe, nominated by Dan Land, for running Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer groups across Tendring for the past 40 years.

Mr Land added: “She started in Great Clacton, working with Cubs for around seven years, and whilst working with teenagers in Weeley she started putting children through the Duke of Edinburgh award for the first time, where they came from all across Tendring to be part of her Duke of Edinburgh groups – something she did for 10 years.”

  • Ellamy Fox-Fraser, nominated by Peter Harris for creating Tendring Primary Recycling Scheme, which offers a solution for typically hard-to-recycle waste streams and concentrates on items not recycled by the council.
  • George Harwick, nominated by Gemma Stephenson for all his hard work at the Clacton Library and for his passion for history.

She said: “Many people are sharing memories, donating artefacts and photos, which George records; without his enthusiasm and skill, these may well have been lost.”

  • James Cole, nominated by Maria Fowler, Gary Calver, Bill Davidson, Ivan and Jo Henderson and Pam Morrison, for being Harwich Town Crier and promoting events and encouraging the tourist economy.

They said: “With so much effort having been put into increasing Harwich’s tourist economy through the use of the town’s 850 years of history, the voluntary commitment to promoting Historic Harwich by James Cole has been a major contributory factor to the success of this campaign.”

  • Melissa Wenn, nominated by Mark Stephenson for starting the Princes Youth Theatre in 1988 in an effort to encourage children to become more involved in theatre.

He said: “Melissa’s enthusiasm for the children knows no bounds and her energy is infectious and was instrumental in breaking a world record for the Fastest Theatrical Production with her youth group.”

  • Pam Corsar, nominated by Mick Barry for being a leading figure in a strong group of 50 volunteers who provide a year-round contribution to the Brightlingsea Lido.

Mr Barry said: “Pam leads a team of Front of House volunteers who meet and greet, provide information and advice and generally act as the 'face' of the Lido, and every one of the more than 48,000 visitors in the last two years has had a positive contact with a volunteer, confirmed by feedback.”

  • Pat Ling, nominated by Mike Bush, for being a catalyst in engaging and galvanizing the communities of the Oakley’s and surrounding areas through arranging many events, clubs and fundraising funding for the villages and charities.

Mr Bush said: “Pat works tirelessly organising monthly table-top sales, ladies’ lunch, coffee mornings and quiz nights, as well as village dog training.

“Pat has also raised significant funds and donations for many different charities as well as funding for the new village hall floor.”

  • Trevor and Donna Mills, nominated by Valerie Guglielmi, for dedicating their spare time for many years to the Mistley Cricket Club.

She said: “As a result the club has prospered and grown over the years thanks to the efforts of these two special people.

  • William Taylor, nominated by Michael Talbot for setting up his second Boxing Club three years ago, which “has seen success after success from its boxers, where one member holds the Eastern Counties and Essex Championship at his weight”.
  • Clacton Park Run, nominated by Dan Casey for organising a 5k course three times every Saturday, which sees more than 200 take part, as well as Children’s park run organised every Sunday, which “is helping to keep them fit in all weathers”.
  • Porridge and Pens, nominated by Graham Steady who said “The Porridge and Pens Brightlingsea School project takes the town’s community spirit to another level, by encouraging volunteers of all ages to raise funds for projects which because of their location, may not be recognisable as one in need of help.”
  • Brightlingsea Saturday Club, nominated by Jayne Chapman for organising a monthly disco for adults with special needs, both physical and mental.

Mrs Chapman said: “The club is run by around eight volunteers, who decorate tables to give a more homely feel and encourage all clients to take part, have fun and dance, even those in wheelchairs.”

  • The Great Bromley Cross Pub and Community Benefit Society, nominated by Gary Scott for “providing much needed facilities in the rural community”.

He added: “The Cross is a wonderful community pub, but it is more than a pub. It’s a vital rural community service that helps hundreds of people in the rural villages of Great Bromley and the surrounding area.”

  • John Hall, nominated by Carlo Guglielmi for his involvement with Little Pumpkins preschool and Lawford C of E Primary School, where he has given so much of his time by regularly going in to help plan their garden areas, talking about planting and growing, and to talk to the youngsters of the wonderful wildlife in the district.

Mr Guglielmi said: “John, who has been very busy building his own Eco-House with his family, has spent many hours of his precious time in this great research and is considered as a true local hero, who thoroughly deserves recognition.”