On behalf of the Marlborough Town Council Mayor Lisa Farrell was presented with the inaugral Local Council Community Award from Community First at their AGM and Award Ceremony held last night, Thursday 11 October in Devizes.
Volunteers and organisations from across Wiltshire were recognised for their exceptional contributions to their communities. For the first time, there was a Local Council Community Award and Marlborough Town Council won for its work alongside the local community in taking on the former Youth Centre at St Margaret’s Mead and transforming it into today’s Marlborough Community & Youth Centre.
Around 18 months ago, there was no community centre for local groups to use or where sports clubs could practice and, more importantly, nowhere for young people to meet and socialise since the Youth Centre was closed and services withdrawn by the Unitary Authority. The building was about to be boarded up and mothballed but, led by community demand and a campaign spearheaded by current Mayor, Councillor Lisa Farrell, the Town Council took it on in June 2017 and has worked with local groups, business and individuals to open it up again. Following extensive refurbishment, it offers a multi-use hall, a changing room for junior football teams, a sound proofed music practice room and a café area with a suite of computers. It’s now used by a wide variety of local groups.
On receiving the award from Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton, Mayor Lisa said: “It’s really humbling to be at a ceremony where so many worthy volunteers of all ages have been recognised for their work in the community. I am so proud that Marlborough Town Council and its fabulous community have been selected as winners. So many people contributed to this, young people campaigning at council meetings, local voluntary organisations, businesses and individuals all played a massive part and deserve a piece of this award. Thank you to everyone involved.”
Community First is an award winning charity which champions small local community causes right up to managing multi-million pound projects for the benefit of those who live and work in Wiltshire. Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton, who presented the awards at the ceremony, is the charity’s president. More information about Community First is available at: http://www.communityfirst.org.uk/
