The John Eldridge Award

The John Eldridge Award is awarded annually and gives us the opportunity to thank those who have given their time and effort for the benefit of others in Didcot. Whether it is charity work or volunteering for a local club or society.

The award was donated by Mrs Jean Eldridge, following her husband’s death whilst serving as Deputy Mayor of Didcot in 1992. It was felt appropriate that an award be founded in his name to recognise the voluntary work done in Didcot.

The award evening usually takes place in December. If you would like to nominate an individual or group then please email council@didcot.gov.uk or phone Didcot Town Council on 01235 812637 for further details.

2011 John Eldridge Award

This year the John Eldridge award was presented to Jacqui Oldham for her dedication and hard work with the Didcot Volunteer Centre since it started in 1987.   Jacqui has worked tirelessly in many roles including the introduction of computerised record keeping that enables the centre to produce the information they require when applying for the funding that keeps them going.

Volunteers use their own vehicles to clients to appointments and the number of clients helped by the service has grown steadily with over 3000 journeys completed last year. 

Jacqui was described as an unsung hero without whom the community transport scheme would no longer exit.

Details of recipients for the past four years are shown below.

2010 John Eldridge Award

2410 (Didcot) Squadron ATC fly off with the 2010 John Eldridge Award
2410 (Didcot) Squadron ATC were the recipients of the John Eldridge Award for Voluntary Service at Didcot Town Council’s Annual Awards Evening help in December.

Described as “unassuming and willing to help at so many events” 2410 Squadron were grateful recipients. Picking up the award on their behalf were Flt Lt Cavon Chaney and Flt Sgt Jacob Harris. 2410 Squadron has been in existence since 1962, giving opportunities for young people to fly and undertake community projects. The 2410 Squadron regularly provide volunteers for events such as the Didcot Fun Run, as well as assisting in various fund raising activities.

Didcot Mayor Capt John Flood said of 2410 Squadron “they are a youth organisation, always willing to volunteer and set a good example to the rest of the community. They were worthy recipients.”

2410 Squadron were chosen from a shortlist of people compiled from nominations received from the general public. The other nominees were Mrs Sue Such for her work assisting local residents. Mrs Pat Smith, for her work with the Ryder Cheshire Volunteers. Mr Michael Howlett, for his work with various voluntary organisations including TRAIN. Mrs Joyce Hall, for her work with Oxfam, various arts groups and the DDAHS. Didcot Rotary Club, for their various fundraising activities and projects. And The Thong Rangers for their fundraising work. The Mayor of Didcot said “these people deserve all our gratitude. The voluntary work they carry out not only enriches them but also the community.”

John Eldridge Award 2009
Local Hero receives award

Pease Place resident, Mr John Wilcox, was recently awarded Didcot Town Council’s John Eldridge Award for Voluntary Service at its annual awards evening on the 19th December.

Described as a “Local Hero” John has been volunteering at Didcot’s Gateway Club boor the past 27 years. John helped establish the club in 1983 and he has been central to its success ever since. The club is a social hub for many of the young disabled people in Didcot and the surrounding areas. John plays a vital role in organising their social meetings as well as trips to London and Blackpool.

In receiving the award, John said “I just feel that I am doing something to help other people, it does not seem like 27 years”. John received the award from Didcot’s Mayor Councillor Margaret Turner who stated “John and the other nominees are an inspiration to all of us. Volunteering for 27 years like John has is something that is to be admired. It is people like John and the other nominees who make Didcot such a great place to live”.

Over 90 people saw Mr Wilcox receive his award at the annual ceremony which takes place at the Civic hall and is hosted by the Mayor of Didcot. They were treated to a piano accompaniment and complimentary food and drink from Didcot Town Council.

John Wilcox was chosen from a shortlist of people compiled from nominations received from the general public. The other nominees were Vic Clinch for his work on the Street Fair, Community Lunches and many other projects. Flt Lt Cavon Chaney for his work with the 2410 (Didcot) ATC. Anna Gatrell for her free Christmas Lunch project held for the past three years at the Day Centre. And David Witts the driving force behind the reestablishment of Didcot RUFC.

All the nominees do a fantastic job and are a credit to the town. Didcot Town Council would like to thank them for their efforts as well as all those who volunteer in the town often without the recognition they deserve.

John Eldridge Award 2008
The Thong Rangers ride off with the 2008 John Eldridge Award!

The 2008 John Eldridge Award Ceremony was described as the biggest and the best yet by its patron, Mrs Jean Eldridge. In the audience were all the nominees as well as the allotment competition winners and the new Best Front Garden competition winners, and many Councillors, invited guests, friends and relatives. All this made for a fantastic warm up for Christmas.

The evening was hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Didcot and included prizes for best allotment and front garden.

The final and most prestigious award was of course the John Eldridge Award for Voluntary Service presented by Mrs Jean Eldridge. We had a total of seven different nominees this year which was fantastic. The nominees were:-

• The Thong Rangers for their various escapades in aid of various charities and individuals all clad in their thongs!
• The Christmas Street Fair Committee who organise this wonderful Street Fair on a voluntary basis.
• Mrs Kate and Dr Garth Evans of Didcot Hand of Friendship who work tirelessly collecting the elderly and physically impaired and going on trips and concerts amongst other activities, therefore giving these people opportunities that may not be possible.
• Mrs Caroline Kenward of Didcot and District Girlguiding who has been involved in Girl guiding and Brownies since the 1980s and recently became the Commissioner and was the driving force behind them ensuring their future was bright by raising over £10,000 to secure the lease on their HQ in Laburnum Grove.
• The Volunteers at Didcot Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) which in this their 40th year continues to provide a vital service to the community advising on all matters from debt to homelessness.
• Mrs Pam Organ and Mrs Dorothy Drummond from the Oxfordshire Association of the Blind (OAF)for their work helping blind and visually impaired people in and around Didcot over the last 15 years get together and have a good time.
• Finally Norman (Nobby) Bennett for his work with the Didcot & District Darts where he raised a lot of money for local charities and groups as well as organising the league this was in addition to the work he did in setting Didcot Town FC in the right direction.
  Given that the number of representatives from the Thong Rangers was high, Mrs Eldridge was delighted when they were named the recipients of the John Eldridge Award as she was able to grab a kiss from each!
  The Thong Rangers have had a busy year raising money for groups and individuals who need their help. They have also helped boost the profile of Didcot throughout the region. Highlights were the truck pull from Didcot to Abingdon and back and shovel walking up the Broadway as part of the Christmas Street Fair Parade in freezing wind and rain wearing just their thongs!

Didcot Town Council would like to say a big thank you and congratulations to The Thong Rangers and all the other nominees for the fantastic work they do for the benefit of others.

John Eldridge Award 2007

THE JOHN ELDRIDGE AWARD evening took place on the evening of the 20th December 2007. The event was a huge success with over 80 people in attendance.

Grant Aid cheques granted by Didcot Town Council's Arts and Grants Committee were also handed out by the Mayor to Didcot Spirit, Oxfordshire Association for the Blind, Didcot and British Pensioners Association and Didcot Hand of Friendship.

There were four nominees for the John Eldridge Award 2007, all are pictured below.

• The Thong Rangers. The Thong Rangers have become a familiar sight around Didcot. Dressing down as they do to raise money for many local groups and charities as well as Sobell House in Oxford. Their fundraising events include pulling trucks through Didcot and running from Sobell House to Didcot to name just a few.
• Mr Ian Hollingham. Ian has been involved with guiding since the 1980s and is an instructor in outdoor survival techniques. Ian has also raised a substantial amount of money £1600 this year alone to help fund 1st Didcot Downs Guide Group to do a trip overseas in 2008.
• Mrs Marion Fountain. Marion has beeninvolved with the 23rd Didcot Scout Group since the 1960s first as Akela and then as Group Scout Leader. Many local Didcot boys have passed through the Didcot Scouting movement and many have fond memories of Marion and are grateful for all the hard work she has put in over the last 40+ years.
• The Didcot Christmas Street Fair Committee. The Christmas Street Fair Committee meet regularly throughout the year to organise the hugely successful Street Fair. They give up their time to organise dancers, reindeers, sponsorship and much much more! They provide an excellent event for the people of Didcot and a boost for local business.
  The award went to Mrs Marion Fountain (pictured below) for her work and long service with the 23rd Didcot Scout Group.

Didcot Town Council would like to congratulate and thank Marion and all the nominees for their efforts over the past year and beyond. The Town Council appreciates all the hard work that volunteers put in to help the community.

If you would like to find out more about the John Eldridge Award and how to nominate a group or individual then please contact us.