The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Local heroes are honoured with special awards
VOLUNTEERS
RECOGNISED FOR WORK TO BENEFIT THEIR COMMUNITIES
THREE community heroes have been honoured for volunteering work which has transformed the areas of County Durham where they live.
Betty Minto and Christine Clarke have revived the Burnopfield Community Centre over the best part of two decades, while James Holden has transformed the formerly-flagging flower beds at Bowes Court in Newton Hall.
The trio have all received the Chairman’s Medal, which is Durham County Council’s highest civic honour, presented by Coun Joan Nicholson, chairman of the council.
Burnopfield’s community centre was struggling when Betty arrived in 2006, but since then, with the support of treasurer Christine, community services, clubs, bingo and even a daycare nursery have all become firm fixtures.
In 2021, during the fierce storms, the pair rallied to serve breakfast and dinner to those affected, while a new community shop is just the latest string to the centre’s bow.
As for James, several years ago he realised the flowerbeds at Bowes Court - where he lives - weren’t up to
Coun Joan Nicholson and James Holden
scratch. The green-fingered volunteer has now been planting for a number of years and the beds are home to a “colourful array” of plants and flowers.
Coun Nicholson of Durham County Council, said: “People like Betty, Christine and James make such a huge difference to their local communities. In Betty and Christine’s case, they’ve built a thriving community venue and everything taking place in there is changing the lives of local people for the better.
“The flats where James lives are primarily occupied by older people, and the fruits of his hard work not only brighten up the place itself but also the lives of those who live there. It was my great pleasure to present them each with a Chairman’s Medal and thank them for their respective contributions.”
■ To find out more about the Chairman’s Medal scheme, visit: www.durham.gov.uk/chairmansmedal