The Community Awards Event took place on Sunday 3rd July 2022 and was well attended by a variety of different community groups and individuals who help to make Melling a great place to live and work.
After a brief welcome message from Melling Parish Council Chairman, Councillor Alan Todd the Young Persons Award was presented by Councillor Andrew Kyle.
It was agreed by the Parish Council that due to the difficult circumstances that everyone has faced during the past two years due to covid, an award should be presented to all three nominees this year for the category of Young Person Award.
Max Wilcox
Max has a great passion for helping in the community by keeping up with the planting for ‘Melling in Bloom. He has spent many hours of his own time making our beautiful village even more special. Max is always smiling and takes personal pride in making the area he lives in looks ever more special. At Melling Primary he has received numerous awards from his teachers and head teacher due to his personality and always helping others. He has given up his playtimes to pick up litter as it keeps the school looking clean and tidy. Max even has his own litter picker. Max is an inspiration to us all and a shining example to his peers. He really is a kind hearted young man.
Mias Melling Rocks
Mia Reney Smith and her sister are both local children, who, during lockdown came up with the idea of painting rocks and hiding them around the village and beyond. Hundreds of rocks were hidden not only in Melling but also found at Ben Nevis, Newcastle, Somerset and Edinburgh. The front of the rock has either a positive message or a nice picture and on the back has details on how to post a picture on a dedicated Facebook Page of the person who found the rock as well as the rock. Mia Melling Rocks kept many Melling residents occupied during a very uncertain time during the pandemic. It got residents and children out of their houses and engaging with other people. Rocks were also painted to sell to raise funds for Melling in Bloom which raised a fabulous £222.55.
Kristian Myers
Kristian is a wonderful young man who has been nominated for his dedication to his younger brother who is autistic and to his mum, who suffers with ill health. Kristian is extremely thoughtful, kind with a compassionate nature. On one occasion when his mum became unwell, Kristian was ringing for paramedics whilst consoling his younger brother who was not able to comprehend what was happening. His mum says ‘he is the eyes at the back of her head and her extra hand’ and she would be lost without his ongoing support. Kristian always thinks of others before himself and nothing is ever too much trouble… a true gentleman.
Next up was the Community Group Award presented by Councillor Ron Baker.
Winner - The Melling Knitters
Nomination forms stated ‘The Melling Knitters’ have brought a smile to the community of Melling especially during the past 2 years of lockdown and restrictions. They brighten up the village with their inspirational ideas which have covered the recent jubilee, remembrance Sunday, Christmas and Easter. The Melling Knitters have also brought people together by serving up afternoon tea at the Tithebarn. They use their own money and materials to keep residents smiling and we all look forward to what they are going to produce next!
The award was received by Sandra Luckett on behlf of the Melling Knitters.
Councillor Linda Ashburner then presented the Citizen's Award.
Winner – Alex Clay
Nomination forms state that Alex has worked tirelessly for the Melling residents and Melling Residents Association in his role of Secretary.
The MRA is an important part of Melling Village activities and Alex has given up a great deal of his time improving the club.
He has often used his own money to make the club look and perform better. This has resulted in the club now becoming a focal point, not just to socialise but also for many local activity clubs to use as a meeting place.
The Business in the Community Award – was presented by Councillor Pat Clatworthy.
Winner - Rowlands Chemist
Nomination forms state the staff at Rowlands Chemist went above and beyond in their duties to make sure Melling residents had their medication during the pandemic and it was near impossible to see a doctor.
They often faced angry and very frustrated customers but they did not let this phase them. Staff remained professional, positive and calm throughout.
Staff at Rowlands Chemist are a credit to their company and we are so lucky to have them working in our Community
As the name suggests, the Special Recognition Award is an award that was created by Melling Parish Council to give special recognition to The Melling Community Volunteers which first started when Sue and Adam Franklin (landlords of the Horse and Jockey Pub, Melling) had to close their doors at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sue & Adam were concerned about the community and those who were deemed vulnerable, so they offered their support.
The Horse & Jockey and their staff were equipped to cook and package the meals but they required help getting the meals and supplies out to those that needed it the most. Sue & Adam, along with Adam’s brother Dee, put a call out for help on their Facebook page and within a couple of days there were a large number of volunteers ready to give their time to support the community and wider areas.
More than 2000 leaflets were delivered to homes across Melling and social media posts targeted towards neighbouring Aintree, Kirkby and Maghull. Along with taxi drivers, Melling Parish Council and local volunteer services, they were able to identify those most vulnerable.
An amazing group of volunteers also set up a ‘Listening Ear’ service which consisted of regular telephone calls to those that were lonely during the isolation period. Volunteers also helped to get prescriptions, medications and shopping for those that that did not have any other support available to them.
The volunteers delivered over 10,000 meals to our vulnerable community, all supplied by the Horse & Jockey Pub. Made over 5000 phone calls and supported over 500 local people.
During school holidays the Melling Volunteers/Horse and Jockey provided packed lunches for children within Melling who required a lunch during this period.
The award was presented by Bill Esterton MP and received by Julie Wilson on behalf of the Melling Volunteers.
The final award was the Chairman's Award which was presented to Elaine Martin for her work raising money for charity for a lot of years .
Elaine doesn't expect any recognition for what she does and has raised a lot of money for this charity.
She holds coffee afternoons and has collection boxes throughout the year. She helps the residents come to terms with their prognosis of cancer, and helps them to stay positive and get through their illness.
The charity she raises money for is MacMillians to help keep their charity a float.
