THE unsung heroes of Taunton Deane will be celebrated at a Citizenship Awards ceremony hosted by the borough council along with local Rotary Clubs this week.

The annual awards are open to individuals and voluntary groups which make a difference to people living in the community – and among the winners are the Friends of Wellington Park and Mike Newbury of Rockwell Green.

A panel of judges, led by Taunton Deane Mayor Cllr Hazel Prior-Sankey, selected five winners and they will be presented with their awards at a ceremony in the Cooper Associates County Ground on Wednesday (April 25).

A donation of £100 will also be made to a charity of their choice each. Everyone who received a nomination has also been invited to attend and collect a certificate.

Cllr Prior-Sankey said: “The Citizenship Awards give much-deserved recognition to the groups and individuals who do outstanding voluntary work in our community.

“So many people benefit from the work of this army of volunteers who dedicate themselves to a myriad of causes in Taunton Deane. Every one of them, whether they were nominated or not, deserve our sincere thanks.”

Friends of Wellington Park

THE Friends were established in 2001 to support the park, promote its use and preserve its historical heritage for the benefit of the whole community.

They organise the annual May Day Event, and organise and present 12 weeks of musical entertainment every Sunday afternoon in the park from June until the end of August, including Proms in the Park in aid of Wellington Silver Band.

The Friends constantly upgrade the equipment, chairs, gazebos and catering equipment used during the major park events.

They liaise with the borough council Park Department to point out any problems arising, and with its close support Wellington Park has consistently won Green Flag and Heritage Awards.

The park was originally donated by the Fox family to the people of Wellington.

Mike Newberry

MIKE, of Rockwell Green, has served as a street pastor since 2008, leading late-night patrols on Saturdays.

Since 2015 he has led the day-time teams in Halcon in Taunton patrolling and attending meetings to make a positive difference to the lives of individuals and the community. He recently became a trustee and takes responsibility for safeguarding and compliance issues.

Mike has also given years of service as a volunteer hospital chaplain, visiting the wards and supporting services in the chapel on Sundays to ensure that patients can take part.

He has been an active volunteer member of Taunton Team Chaplaincy since its inception in 2010. He is the chaplain to the Open Door day centre and also Taunton Association for the Homeless.

Mike convenes an annual gathering of representatives of the various statutory and voluntary agencies which serve the needs of the homeless in the Taunton area and has recently joined the new ‘Rail Responder’ team which has received additional training from the Samaritans to seek to engage with those considering suicide or self-harm on or near the railway.