Lesley is Citizen of the Year
Honour for her environmental work
Callander’s prestigious ‘Citizen of the Year’ award has gone to a resident who shares a love and passion for the area’s environment.
Lesley Hawkins was given the accolade by Callander Community Council in recognition of her hard work in promoting the town’s environment, wildlife and beauty spots.
She was responsible for persuading the Beechgrove Garden to shoot an episode in the town in September last year. This involved a lengthy application process and then touring around Callander with the producers, putting the town in the spotlight.
She currently serves as the secretary of the Callander branch of the Scottish Wildlife Trust and is part of a group known as the ‘Toad Patrol’ who help toads, frogs and newts cross busy roads in the town.
She also organises the annual litter pick – Keep Callander Tidy – and has recruited teams to carry out regular litter picking in some of the more remote areas of Callander.
Mrs Hawkins arranged the mural on the shelter at the Friendship Garden and is one of the main organisers of Greener Callander – looking after many of the flower beds and hanging baskets throughout the town.
Mrs Hawkins, originally from Derbyshire, moved to the town around 11 years ago with her husband, Mike.
She previously worked in chemistry and engineering.
One nomination, submitted to the community council , stated: “Although not born and bred in Callander, over the last 10 years or so, Lesley has made a positive difference to our town – we can all notice what she achieves but maybe not realise it’s her contribution that is making a difference.
“She does not hog the limelight but organises, recruits volunteers and in her quiet, efficient way she gets things done.
“All of this takes hours and hours of effort and whilst not everyone in Callander will know Lesley we all benefit from what she does on behalf of the community. We recommend her to you as our next citizen of the year.”
Mrs Hawkins said: “I was very flattered when I found out and slightly embarrassed by it all. It’s a great honour for me.
“I’ve always had an interest in the environment and wildlife and since retiring I’ve been able to take a bigger interest in it.
“It was great to be able to bring the Beechgrove Garden programme to the town . It was filmed in August and broadcast in September. The best thing to come out of it was that it was a really nice advert for Callander.”
Mrs Hawkins is due to attend the March meeting of Callander Community Council to pick up her award.
We can all notice what she achieves but maybe not realise it’s her contribution that is making a difference