A COMMUNITY stalwart in Fordingbridge has been recognised for her volunteering efforts.

Helen Tague has been given the Citizen of the Year award from Fordingbridge Rotary.

Speaking about getting the Citizen of the Year accolade, Helen said: “I am absolutely delighted. I am very thrilled to have been asked if I would accept.

“Because Fordingbridge is my home I have always tried to do my bit in the community.

“I’m just thrilled to be recognised.”

Fordingbridge Citizen of the Year Helen Tague

Fordingbridge Citizen of the Year Helen Tague

A statement from Fordingbridge Rotary said: “Helen is nominated for all her hard work in the community, thus becoming a highly respected member of the community, well known and recognised.”

The Rotary added: “Helen was given the award in recognition of the years that she has been involved on many local activities, all of them on a voluntary basis.”

Helen, a former town clerk at Fordingbridge Town Council, has been involved in a number of local groups over the years, and still continues to be, including St Mary’s Church, the Fordingbridge Museum, the Business Forum, the Flower Club, Inner Wheel and Fordingbridge Twinning Association as well as the Fordingbridge Events Group.

If there is something I feel I can volunteer for I will do it,” added Helen, who says she has always tried to help in the town where she can.

The award is presented annually and Helen will have her name added to the board of honour at Fordingbridge Town Hall.

Helen was a founder member of the town’s twinning association and previously served as chairman.

She continues to be a member of the twinning associations committee and is set to join some of the Rotary members on a proposed visit to Vimoutiers next July when the 40th anniversary of Fordingbridge being twinned with Vimoutiers, will be celebrated.

The Mayor of Fordingbridge, Councillor Edward Hale added: “I am really pleased that Helen Tague has been awarded Citizen of the Year as she is involved with so many organisations in Fordingbridge.

“I have known Helen for many years and she was a long serving Town Clerk for the Town Council, and then Manager at Avonway.

“Helen is also involved with the Alms-houses, St Marys Church, and the Women’s Institute, and as a driver for the Day Centres.

“Her knowledge of so many aspects of the town means she is always a good source of information on past events.

“Helen is a very worthy recipient of Citizen of the Year.”

Previous recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award to be recognised for the service to the community have included Wendy Reid, who started Fordingbridge Greener Living, and Bill Edwards who was recognised for his work with voluntary groups in the town.

As part of receiving the Citizen of the Year Award Helen will also receive £250 to donate to a charity of her choice.

She says she will be donating the money to the Friends of Fordingbridge Surgery as a way to help people of all ages in the town.

 

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