This year’s Annual Parish Meeting took place on Monday 15 April 2024 at the Digby Hall on Hound Street.
The meeting was well attended by local organisations and residents, along with Sherborne Town Councillors and staff who were in attendance to answer any questions from the community.
Town Clerk, Steve Shield presented a summary of the year, followed by reports from community and local organisations, including, amongst many others, the Rendezvous, Repair Cafe, Sherborne Golf Club and Tennis Club.
As part of the meeting the Mayor, Cllr Margaret Crossman presented the Mervyn Smith Community Champion Award for 2024, to Rachel Goodfellow.
Rachel is the founder and sole fundraiser for the Hidden Needs Trust, she is President of the Rotary Club and works with local schools/community and those effected by the Ukraine Disaster.
Rachel has made such a difference in our local community, supporting a range of families and young people, fundraising for many great causes and signposting individuals to appropriate support organisations. Councillors have recognised the amazing amount of work she has undertaken locally to ensure our community and surrounding areas are supported in so many ways.
Also during the meeting the mayor presented a cheque to her two chosen charities, The Rendezvous and Citizens Advice.
More about the Mervyn Smith Community Champion Award
In 2015 the Town Council initiated a new award being the ‘Mervyn Smith Community Champion Award’, set up in memory of Mervyn and his work with the Over 50s and people of Sherborne, and it was awarded posthumously to Mervyn in 2015.
The criteria for this award is based on a Community Champion being an inspirational figure, a community entrepreneur, mentor or leader who ‘champions’ the priorities and needs of their communities and helps them get involved by building on existing skills. They drive forward community activities and pass on their expertise to others. They also provide support, for example, through mentoring or by helping to manage small projects.