About the awards
Once a year, we give Services to Farnham Awards to people who provide an outstanding or crucial service to the community or the people of Farnham. The awards medals are kindly sponsored by the Tindle News Group.
Nominations
Nominations are welcome from local organisations and from members of the public.
If there is somebody you would like to put forward, you will need to explain why you are nominating them and will require a seconder.
To nominate somebody you know, please complete the Services to Farnham Award nomination form.
Deadline
The deadline for nominating somebody for a Services to Farnham Award has now passed.
Judging
A small panel of people consider the nominations and put forward their winning selections to a meeting of the Full Council at the end of January.
Presentation of the awards
The winners are invited to receive their awards at a special ceremony in February. This normally takes place on the last Monday in February. The Mayor of Farnham presents the awards.
Recipients of Services to Farnham Awards
2020/21
The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Pat Evans presented medals to:
Rev’d David Ashby
David Ashby was the much-loved local Methodist minister in Rowledge for many years fulfilling his duties to his congregation in exemplary fashion. In addition, he has run a monthly lunch club for the elderly, provided a valuable service visiting people in hospital, and been a key member of Care Farnham for many years. As chairman, his ebullient and cheerful character has helped enthuse the volunteer drivers who take people to medical appointments. David selflessly never turns down an opportunity to help anyone, and his kindly wise counsel and ready wit are much appreciated. Through his commitment to Care Farnham, Rowledge, and the wider community, David has enhanced the lives of so many and deserves recognition for his Services to Farnham. |
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John Birch
John Birch had a very distinguished professional career in sport and leisure and has given energetic and equally distinguished service to voluntary work, both in and beyond Farnham. As a founder of the Wrecclesham History Project John has been meticulous in his research and co-ordination and overseen the publication of 35 briefing notes and an illustrated historical map of Wrecclesham creating an important and lasting record for Farnham. Beyond his local history involvement, John has been a huge supporter of the local sports scene as a former Chairman of Rowledge Cricket Club supporter of Farnham Sports Council. Without doubt John’s tireless work and leadership has left a strong community legacy. |
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Tony Burke
Tony Burke has been a longstanding member of the Farnham Lions and has headed most of the Farnham Lions’ committees as well as serving as president. He is a trustee of the Farnham Lions charity and has been the prime mover in continuing the Lions Club Wenceslas Project, supporting those in fuel poverty. Tony also managed the Lions’ winter food parcel collection, collecting and distributing food to those who are in need. In addition, Tony has been a supporter of Homestart and, despite his own ill health, has been an active volunteer at the Farnham vaccination programme. Tony has made a valuable contribution to the Farnham community and those in most need. |
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David Coker
David Coker has been an instrumental player in the Farnham Crime Prevention Panel in Farnham and has been chairman for over a decade. As well as co-ordinating with the police and the different groups in Farnham, David has been a regular attendee at events to raise awareness and encourage individual families to protect their homes and possessions from crime. Under David’s leadership the Crime Prevention Panel has made a valuable contribution to community safety. Amongst his other interests, David has been an active member of Farnham Rotary club, serving as its youth committee chairman and also club chairman in 2019-20. David’s contribution to Farnham is very much appreciated. |
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Sarah Coker
Sarah Coker has been a leading volunteer in the award-winning Victoria Garden for many years. As Chair of the ‘Friends of the Victoria Garden’ she helped plan the planting in the garden and manage the rota of volunteers who maintain the garden. In addition, Sarah helps organise the fundraising events to support the planting and maintenance costs. In 2016, she became a Trustee of the Farnham Swimming Baths Trust, representing the ‘Friends’. Sarah has been instrumental in helping the Victoria Garden achieve many ‘gold’ and ‘outstanding’ awards in the South and South East in Bloom competitions and this award recognises the part she has played. |
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Christopher Ellis
Christopher Ellis has been a significant contributor to the community in Wrecclesham for many years. As Church Warden in St Peter’s, he was a key fundraiser for improvements both to the church and Leverton Hall. As a Trustee of the Isabella Schroder Foundation, he worked with the other trustees to support the most disadvantaged in the community. Christopher was on the committee of the Wrecclesham Community Centre from its creation and was Chairman from 2014 until 2021. He worked hard to create improved opportunities for young people and was key in liaising with Farnham Town Council on behalf of the Trust in improvements to the Centre. Christopher much deserves this award for his key contribution to the Wrecclesham community. |
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Peter Glover MBE
Peter Glover has made an outstanding contribution in promoting community CPR and defibrillation in Farnham. His commitment and enthusiasm, alongside his assistance and guidance in founding the Heartstart Farnham Lions Scheme in 2012, has been instrumental to its success. Peter was a heartstart trainer and also the voluntary clinical director on top of his work as a long-serving ambulance technician. Heartstart Farnham has now trained over a thousand people in emergency life support. Peter is passionate about both adults and young people being empowered to learn how to save a life. Peter is modest about his contribution and shows great compassion but deserves recognition for his contribution to the wellbeing of Farnham. |
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Michael Maher
Michael Maher served on the Board of Trustees at Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care for nine years, and as Chairman for three. During that time, it doubled its turnover and the number of patients supported, benefitting from Michael’s business experience and expertise. Under his leadership the charity took over the NHS Beacon service increasing the care provided away from the Hospice building. Michael also served as the publicly elected governor of the Frimley Health Foundation Trust for six years and an active member of the Farnham Weyside Rotary and his local church. With a generous nature and boundless energy Michael is continuing to support the local community as Chair of the Farnham Maltings and is a real community champion worthy of this award. |
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Rebecca Skeels
Rebecca Skeels was key to Farnham becoming a World Craft Town through her unstinting hard work and her inclusive, encouraging approach working alongside the contributing partners. As a craft lecturer at UCA she was keen to celebrate Farnham’s rich visual creativity. As a volunteer she co-ordinated, over several years, the Craft Month programme and participants. Rebecca completed applications for funding that broadened the programme and provided key evaluation data that underpinned the World Craft Town submission. Rebecca’s participative good nature, engendered goodwill and positivity with the outcome being greater than the sum of the parts. Rebecca has made a significant contribution that is worthy of the Services to Farnham Award. |
2019/20
The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Pat Evans presented medals to:
Mrs Rachel Britton
Mr Vic Cracknell
Col. Jack Crawford
Mr Anthony Goodall
Mrs Louise Granville-Jones
Dr Alan Hunt
Mr Michael McAleenan.
Mr John Negus
Mr Graham Noakes
Mr Graham Precious
Mr Chris Shepheard
Mr Norman Smith
Mr Barry Wilkinson
2018/19
The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor David Attfield presented medals to:
Dr Martin Angel
Dr David Brown
Rachel Deadman
Philip German
Iain Hunter
Polly Murray
Valerie and Douglas Nye
Catherine Powell
Marion Stagg
Marion Stockley
Bill Whittenbury
2017/18
The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Mike Hodge presented medals to:
George Alford
Alexa Barrow
Janet Fraser
Mavis Golding
Maureen Grew
Keith Harris
Robert Hockey
Richard Horton
Elizabeth Meade
Roy Waight
Ian Wilkins
2016/17
The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor John Ward presented medals to:
John Boas
Pam Easey
Susan Farrow
David Gill
Roger Hobbs
Carol McFarlane
Peter Sauter
Peter Seager
Sue Weaver
Susan Wells
2015/16
The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Mrs Pat Frost presented medals to:
Martin Billett
Stewart Dakers
Brian Gravestock
Vera and Allan Maxwell
Joanna Michaelides
Gilly Stewart
Diane Vasey
Robert (Bob) Verner-Jeffreys
2014/15
The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Jeremy Ricketts presented medals to:
Phil Alexander
Roy Beard
Robert Blackman
Linda Bone
Anne Boyman
Peter Buckingham
John Collins
John Ely
Alan Gavaghan
John Green
Peter Greenyer
Geoffrey Jeal
Margaret Kitney
Diana Martin
David McAdam
Darryl Morgan
Noel Moss
Edward Peek
Michael Prinsep
Ivy and Reg Skeet
Gavin Stride
David and Gillian Victor-Smith
2013/14
The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Paddy Blagden presented medals to:
Michael Beale
Roger Bradley
Peter Brinsden
Jan Clark
Simon Farrant
David Fisher
Brian Greig
Sue Hepburn
Jonathan Jones
Peter Matthews
Michael Yeadon
2012/13
The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Stephen Hill presented medals to:
Ian Carter
Meg Daniels
Audrey Gotting
Eric Goulding
David Graham
Sue Gravenell
Ken Powell
Nicky Staszkiewicz
Derek Wall
Marion Wall
Geoff Wallis
Rosemary Wisbey
2011/12
The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Jill Hargreaves presented medals to:
Keith Aston
Jo Aylwin
Elisabeth Butters
Bill Cushen
Gloria Dyche
Maggie Groves
Lionel Knight
David Lambert
Steve Newport
Eve Price
Olive Silver
Tracy Thayre
Diane Thomas
Phil Thomas
2010/11
The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor John Ward presented medals to:
Elizabeth Bagnall
Ina Barzotelli
Sheelagh Greentree
Michael Hayter
Henry Liu
Jean Parratt
Berni Schoenberg
Mick Sturgess
Kevin Taitt
Cyril Trust
2009/10
The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Lucinda Fleming presented medals to:
Mike Barter
Joyce Belcher
Leslie Binfield
Michael Blower
Sue Bowness
Brenda Broomhead
Roger Burge
Chris Elton
Nellie Hawkins
Carol Holman
Mike Holman
Jean Hurst
Brian Kurton
Dr Pat Lambert
Dennis Pratt
Mike Probert
Bryan Sell