Big day for Bill & Ben!
DEDICATED COMMUNITY WORKERS HAVE TRAMS NAMED AFTER THEM
TWO men have had trams named after them in honour of their work for the Nottingham community.
Football coach Bill Chambers, 79, and Pythian Club CEO Benjamin Rosser, 42, were honoured at an official unveiling ceremony on Thursday.
Mr Chambers has spent over 50 years as a football coach in St Ann’s.
And Mr Rosser’s Pythian Club is a youth organisation giving young people opportunities in football, jobs, drama, music and more.
Bill and Ben are the newest winners of the NET Community Heroes award.
NET Trams has 37 vehicles named after people who have made a difference in the city.
At the NET depot on Armstrong Way, Ben and Bill made heartfelt speeches. They both thanked the people who voted for them.
Bill, who was in a state of disbelief, said: “I’m very elated. You can never predict these things”
Currently, he volunteers for Nottingham youth organisation Switch Up and runs chair-based exercise classes mainly for the elderly around Nottingham.
Originally from The Meadows, Bill continued: “The highlight of my career has just been doing things. There’s so much that stands out. Since coaching, my grandson and son have both played for me.”
Bill also admitted that he would like to see more money being put into youth services.
“There’s not enough infrastructure in sports for the kids – it needs broadening out and more Government money. It can’t be left to the council and renewable trusts. There should be more for the young people.”
Bill’s wife Val said: “I’m very proud – it’s like being a footballer’s widow because I never see him!
“I think the highlight of his career was when we went to Buckingham Palace – we did have to wait hours in the queue.
“I will be getting on this tram,
I’m very proud.”
After a career as a police officer, Benjamin Rosser founded the Pythian Club in 2013.
He said: “I’m truly honoured a n d extremely grateful.
“This tram represents to the kids of the club what can be achieved with hard work and dedication. This tram resembles our statement for making a positive change in our community. This tram should be a beacon of hope, commitment and togetherness.”
Natalie Fahy, editor of the Nottingham
Post and Nottinghmashirelive, was one of the judges for the 2022 NET Community Heroes awards.
She said: “It was an honour to be part of the process to find Nottingham’s community heroes.
“Ben and Bill received many nominations from our readers, and have changed so many lives across the city. It’s great to see their names on the side of the tram and for them to get the recognition they deserve.”
Andrew Conroy, chief operating officer, said: “We have 37 trams, they’re all named after special people in Nottingham. You will find many trams dedicated to people in Nottingham including Robin Hood, Torvill and Dean, Vicky Mcclure, Viv Anderson and more. “If we could all achieve a tiny proportion of what Bill and Ben have achieved, then the city and the world would be a better place. “For Bill and Ben to see the trams named after them is special and inspirational, and I’m proud to have been a part of that.”
The highlight of my career has just been doing things. There’s so much that stands out
Bill Chambers