Published: October 30, 2012
Long-running parish councillor receives community service award

A Highbridge parish councillor has been awarded Somerset County Council's Chairman's Award for Service to the Community in recognition of her work in the village.

Jenny Salway from Basonbridge near Highbridge was nominated for her service as a parish councillor for the past 35 years.

Jenny was Chairman of the council for 12 years and, at 80, she is a member of The British Legion and Royal Air Force Association, a pre-school governor, a governor at East Huntspill School, a member of the Church Hall Committee and a Harvest Home Committee member.

As a member of the WI, she has helped raised funds to purchase land and build a village hall, and also helped buy land for a village playing field.

Somerset County Council Chairman John Edney presented her - and 65 other people across the county - with awards for services to the community. The awards were presented in a ceremony at Taunton Rugby Club.

Cllr Edney said: "The number of awards presented this year is the highest we’ve ever had so it goes to show that community spirit is alive and well and living in Somerset. We heard remarkable stories of what people in all walks of life carry out, things that might not otherwise happen without their goodwill."