Published: July 4, 2012
Civic Awards winners in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge announced

The names of four community-spirited residents in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge who are to receive Civic Awards have been announced this week.

Derick Cooper, Ian Jefferies, Mary Lawrence and Pam Lyes have this week been officially named by the Town Council as winners of the awards, which will be presented on Sunday 15th July during the 26th annual Civic Service.

The gongs will be handed out by Burnham and Highbridge Mayor Ken Smout and the High Sheriff of Somerset, Mrs Sylvan Chandler, in St Andrew's Church.

The first award will go to Ian Jefferies, a Burnham-On-Sea Coastguard, who is also very involved with the Burnham Area Youth Centre and also played a key role in Burnham and Highbridge's preparations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June including the world record sandcastle building bid, pictured above.

Ian often works hard 'behind the scenes' and does not seek attention for himself. He has also been heavily involved with the success of BIARS, the voluntary group that runs Burnham's seafront tourist information centre.

Mary Lawrence, right, is a music teacher at both Churchfield School and St Joseph's School and also in her own home.

For many years she has taught hundreds of children to play piano, flute and recorder - many of whom have reached various levels of ABRSM exams and also claimed many medals at the Highbridge Festival of Arts.

Mary is also musical director of the award-winning Coastline Singers, who entertain churches and care homes for charity.

Pam Lyes, right, was nominated for her award due to her dedication to Highbridge over many years.

She fundraised for the building of the Highbridge Community Hall in Market Centre.

More recently, she has been secretary of Highbridge Memorial Trust, the project to build a statue for war hero Frank Foley. She also plays a key role in organising Highbridge in Bloom each year.

Former Burnham and Highbridge Mayor Derick Cooper is also to receive a Civic Award for his extensive community work in the two towns. He previously served on the Town Council and had a very busy period as Mayor.

Derick, right, also served for many years on the Board of Governors at Churchfield School in Highbridge and is a hard-working churchwarden at St John’s Church in Highbridge.

The awards service will be preceded at 2.45pm by a procession through Burnham town centre by the civic dignitaries from The Princess Theatre to St Andrew's Church.

During the service, a collection will be taken in aid of the Mayor’s chosen charity, the BAY Centre in Cassis Close. At approximately 4pm the Civic Party and other guests will return to The Princess where afternoon tea will be served.