Molly’s tireless work for so many in community
An Ulcombe resident has been handed a special award for her tireless work in the community.
Since 83-year-old Molly Poulter moved to the area in 1966 she has been behind many projects and fundraising bids in the village and Maidstone. This includes the Ulcombe playgroup, the baby-sitting group and the work to raise the funds to build a new village hall.
She was presented with a Kent Association of Local Communities Award by parish council chairman Peter Titchener at the annual meeting on Thursday, April 27. This was later followed up by a formal presentation by George Jessel, the High Sheriff of Kent.
The mother of two founded, and still runs, the Friendship Club for elderly residents, the Ulcombe History Society and the recently created the Friends of All Saints’ Church.
She remains a member of the Ulcombe Parochial Church Council, having been a former churchwarden, the deanery synod representative for All Saints’ church and then the Lay Chair of the North Downs Deanery Synod.
Mrs Poulter, who lives off The Street, helped to re-start and then run the Ulcombe Horse Show, Dog Show and Fayre and also turned her hand to newsgathering, editing the parish newsletter as well as the 255 history of the village ‘Ulcombe’s Story’, distributed free to all villagers.
But perhaps the former archivist and teacher’s greatest achievement was her work organising the Heart of Kent Hospice Appeal, which raised £1.3 million to build and equip the new facility.
Cllr Titchener said: “Mrs Poulter is one of those very rare people who succeed in transforming a community, for the benefit of everyone, through their vision, hard work and enthusiasm.
“Although now in her 84th year she continues, indefatigably, with all of her current activities in spite of her deteriorating health. She has just published her memoirs – “Of Such Things” – a very fascinating and readable book In the view of Ulcombe Parish Council, Mrs Poulter deserves this recognition and are delighted that she has received this award.”
Mrs Poulter added: “I am guided a lot by my Christian faith. That is very important to me and I feel what I have done has been guided by it.
“I have also been supported over the years by many wonderful committees. I don’t believe in being a loner, I like to assemble people and do things together.
“Good communication is extremely important. Many mistakes and upset can occur if people are not told about what is going on.”