Four Beaminster residents honoured for community work

A ceremony was held in Beaminster Town Hall to pay recognition to four people who have dedicated years to serving their community.

The Beaminster ‘Honorary Townsperson’ award goes back decades, with the earliest record on the board in the Town Hall dating back to 1991, bestowed to Norman C Welsford MBE and Cecil E Tolman.

The honour is given by the town council to a people nominated for their significant and lasting contribution to the life of Beaminster and to the wellbeing of its residents.

The people honoured were Chris Turner, Paula Tuff, Peter Brook and the late John Groves.

Chris Turner has been a long-serving member of Beaminster Town Council and was chairman for seven years.

Cllr Chris Turner was among the four people named as an honorary townsperson (Image: Beaminster Town Council)

He has been the driving force behind setting up and the operation of the CB3 community bus service, offering a vital link between Bridport and Crewkerne via Beaminster on Saturdays.

He has also been, and still is, a volunteer driver for the hospital car service operating from the town and for many years, alongside his late wife Janet, was involved with the drama club and the playgroup.

Youth worker Paula tuff receiving her award (Image: Beaminster Town Council)

Paula Tuff has been supporting the youth of Beaminster for many years in her role as a youth worker, dedicating her time to youngsters and their families, and was instrumental in setting up and now helping to run the Prout Bridge Project.

Peter Brook has had a long involvement with a number of organisations within Beaminster including the Beaminster Festival, St Mary’s Church, Abbeyfield and Royal British Legion.

Peter Brook was also named townsperson of the year (Image: Beaminster Town Council)

Finally John Groves held the position of treasurer and secretary of the Beaminster Charities for 55 years.

His role included co-ordinating, organising and distributing Christmas hampers to those in need. He also held positions with the football and cricket clubs and he had an involvement in many other projects in the town.

Very sadly, Mr Groves died within a few weeks of being informed he would be a recipient of the Honorary Townsperson award.

Ian Groves receiving the award on behalf of his late father John Groves (Image: Beaminster Town Council)

His son Ian attended the event on Friday evening and received the scroll on behalf of his late father.

Craig Monks, Chairman of Beaminster Town Council said: "I was delighted to host the evening on behalf of the town and Beaminster Town Council in recognising four amazing local people who have given so much time and work to the benefit of Beaminster.

"Congratulations to you all. The evening was incredibly moving. Thank you to those who nominated our new Honorary Townspeople, the friends and family who attended and made the evening so special. And of course the High Sheriff of Dorset, Mr Anthony Woodhouse who was our guest of honour."