BOUQUET OF THE WEEK Church volunteer Avril is wonderful

A DEDICATED church volunteer is this week’s recipient of the Echo’s Bouquet of the Week.

Avril Calford, 76, is said to be a “wonderful volunteer” at the weekly 50+ group held at Conway Road Methodist Church Hall every Wednesday morning.

Councillor Iona Gordon, who nominated Avril, said she is always the first to arrive, open up the church hall and then get the kitchen ready to serve teas and coffees.

Coun Gordon said: “Then she is at the kitchen hatch with a cheerful smile for everyone who comes by for their coffee and biscuits.

“Avril is also a good listener. She has a kind word for everyone and never forgets to ask how people are when they have had a problem or not been well.

“After the morning session she helps lay up the tables for lunch.

“She serves the soup and after lunch joins in with all the clearing up with the other members of the volunteer team.

“This is a really full-on morning’s work – week in week out.”

Coun Gordon explained the group is now in its fifth year and Avril has been involved since the beginning.

Avril, from Canton, said the group is a “lovely” club to be a part of.

She also spoke of how she spends time helping out with the toddler group for parents and tots.

The service allows adults and little ones to meet up and have fun, and this group has also been going for many years.

But even though she does so much work for the community, Avril was surprised to hear that she had been nominated.

She said: “I am absolutely amazed. It’s a bit of a shock. There are other people who do a lot more than me at our church. I am over the moon. I just can’t believe it.”

Avril worked as GP practice manager until she was in her 70s and she said she “loved the job so much”.

But now she spends most of her time helping out at the church. “It’s a lovely group,” she added. “They make people feel so welcome.”

If you know someone who deserves an Echo Bouquet of the Week, e-mail your nomination, with reasons, and your name, address and telephone number to echo. newsdesk@walesonline.co.uk. You can also write to South Wales Echo, Six Park Street, Cardiff, CF10 1XR. Usual Media Wales terms and conditions apply and all nominees must agree to be photographed.