Unsung heroes recognised at Lord Mayor’s Medals

Recognising the achievements of Bristol’s unsung heroes, the Lord Mayor’s Medals took place on Thursday, April 11.

16 individuals, from charity workers and educators to civil rights campaigners and volunteers, were acknowledged for their hard work in the ceremony, with medals presented by lord mayor Cleo Lake.

The awards recognise those in the city who go the extra mile for their local community and are chosen by a panel of judges from nominations that are sent. Winners included Roy Hackett, a social justice campaigner well known in the city for his work improving the lives of the BAME community and Henry Poultney, who is championing equality for LGBTQ+ youth.

Presented in the Mansion House, the award winners gathered to receive their certificate and medal on Thursday, April 11, surrounded by friends and family. Jane Oakland, who was recognised for her contribution to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, said: “it’s actually quite overwhelming to hear all the amazing stuff people have done.”

You can read about the 16 award winners below.

 Karina Castro

Originally from Mexico, Karina is passionate about Bristol, its diverse communities and for building ways in which people from all backgrounds can come together, connect and build cohesion. 2019 is Karina’s 10 year anniversary working for Trinity Community Arts, after starting out as a volunteer in 2009 and serving as a trustee since 2014.

Rebecca Scott

Concerned by a lack of positive engagement within BAME communities, Rebecca champions positive change and opportunities for BAME and SEND communities through looking at ways to break down barriers in employment and education. Rebecca chairs the newly formed BAME Staff Advisory network at the University of Bristol.

Rob Webber

Rob has been leader in charge of Manor Farm Boys Club for the last 20 years.  The club provides opportunities for young people to participate in sporting and other activities. It has flourished under his leadership. After becoming a member at 11, became a volunteer helper as a teenager and taking on the role of leader at short notice while working nights and supporting a young family.

Dionne Draper

Dionne is a multi-talented choir director, composer, stage and television actress, whose work has a joyful impact on many people. One of Dionne’s most well-known initiatives is the Sing with Soul Community Choir, delivering masterclasses, music direction and arrangements for the community and works to promote diversity through music and performance.

Christine Dyer

Christine has been a unit leader for Girlguiding Bristol and South Gloucestershire for over 50 years.  Her nomination for a Lord Mayors medal is in recognition of her dedication and commitment to supporting young people in Bristol, striving to provide the very best opportunities for young people.

Jane Oakland

Jane’s award is in recognition of her contribution to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta and work within The Guild of Guardians, most notably as master. Jane was chair of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta for a number of years (most recently 2014 and 2015), which enables the delivery of one of Bristol’s best known events.

Amy Kington

Amy is passionate, committed and dedicated to improving the lives of young people who are at risk and building communities.  She is currently the chief executive officer of Community of Purpose, a community interest company dedicated to linking communities with public, private and voluntary organisations, developing activities and services to generate aspiration, confidence and address inequalities.

Anndeloris Chacon

Anndeloris’ award is given in recognition of her work supporting carers in the community.  She is a visionary leader, whose passion and purpose lies in helping others. Anndeloris spent 36 years as a nurse and during that time, she was an active member of the Black and Minority Ethnic core group, a mentor for staff, the bullying and harassment advisor and a union representative for Royal College of Nurses.

Poku Osei

Poku came to Bristol from Ghana in 2013 and his interest in social mobility then saw him establish Babbasa, an initiative to support and empower disadvantaged young people to step into the world of work and pursue their ambitions. Through a unique 4 module development programme, Babbasa has supported 1339 young people.

Harold ‘Buster’ Footman

Buster has worked tirelessly on a voluntary basis for over 25 years, championing the needs of older people and particularly the welfare of those who served in the armed forces.  He works in Long Ashton, dealing with service and welfare cases, visiting lonely war veterans and those in bereavement.  He visits nursing and care homes and delivers gifts to those who served in the armed forces. A dedicated fundraiser, he has raised over £100,000 for charities, including Service and Ex-Service of Royal British Legion Charities, The Ghurkha Welfare Fund and Somerset Legion House.

Henry Poultney

Henry is a youth worker who goes above and beyond in his support of the LGBTQ+ community in Bristol and the South West. His work with Off The Record promotes resilient mental health in young people and trains organisations to identify and conquer prejudice.  Within Freedom Youth, Henry has created a safe, welcoming and supportive space for young people and through encouraging peer mentoring and youth participation, he has facilitated an environment that has been created both for and by young people.

Roger Mortimer

Roger has been the engine behind much of what the Redland and Cotham Amenity Society has achieved over the years and managed the planning group that assessed all applications in this large area, informed members and made responses. Roger has also been proactive in a number of initiatives within the area and in greater Bristol for many years.

Alastair Brook

Alastair has made a major contribution to the conservation of historic Bristol and the promotion of high quality urban design over the last 20 years. Amongst his achievements are contributing to the preservation, restoration and continued use of Lower Lodge at Ashton Court, playing a central role in the promotion and re-launching of Bristol Doors Open Day and has been a consistent promoter and supporter of the Bristol Urban Design Forum. Alastair has shown extraordinary commitment to Bristol playing a major role in the development of the city docks and was a trustee of the Architecture Centre in Bristol for nearly 20 years.

Dennis Stinchcombe

Dennis Stinchcombe has been looking after young people for over 42 years and remains at the very active in supporting and developing young people from all backgrounds. Dennis and his wife Edna have fostered 137 young men over the last 35 years and as Centre Director at Broad Plain club has provided a safe space and helped countless more over many years.

Victoria Tiley

Victoria has used her experience to transform the lives of vulnerable young people and their communities. She works with BCfm as a presenter, in sales and as partnership manager.  Over the past 20 years, Victoria has been a board member, mentor and director, working with organisations including the Lockleaze neighbourhood trust and venture playground. Projects have been diverse and have attracted all members of the community through events in Lockleaze, Easton, Eastville and St. Pauls and all roles have been voluntary.

Roy Hackett

Social justice campaigner, community leader and one of the Seven Saints of St Paul’s, Roy Hackett has dedicated his life to improving the lives of the people of Bristol and beyond. In 1962, he formed the ‘Commonwealth Co-ordinated Committee’ (CCC), with the aim of stopping people from dumping rubbish in the neighbourhood.  The CCC became the organisational anchor for the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963 with Roy’s work being instrumental in the 1967 Race Relations Act.  The CCC later became the Bristol West Indian Parents and Friends and helped form other key organisations including Bristol Race Equality, Bristol Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre and St Paul’s Festival. Roy continues to work on a number of projects including BREC, Bristol Older Peoples Forum and the Church Above the Shops.

Steve Rosser – International Medal

Steve Rosser is a founder member of the Bristol Link with Nicaragua.  Steve has been involved in projects such as bringing Fairtrade coffee producers to work in Bristol schools and organising the Copa Sandino football for Nicaragua tournament each year. Additionally, Steve supports a girls football and life skills programme in Nicaragua, building and equipping nine preschools for under-fives in Puerto Morazan and funding teacher training using Montessori teaching methods which he helped introduce to Nicaragua.

Winners of the Lord Mayors Medals 2019

Read more: ‘Out of many, we can be one Bristol’