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John Isles read out the
citation for his nominee, Mrs. Ruth Strong, mentioning in particular her
devotion to the recording of the history of Pudsey. Her work appears in many
publications and her taped interviews and transcripts are lodged in the local
library and the archives of the Pudsey Civic Society.
Mrs. Strong is
currently the editor of the Society's Journal which has gone from strength to
strength in both content and presentation. She has also found time to sit a
B.A. honours degree with the Open University and has been awarded an M. Phil
Degree by Leeds University. In accepting the award, Mrs. Strong said that she
found it difficult to say no when asked to speak about Pudsey and its varied
and fascinating history, but that she could not have done as much without the
support of many other voluntary workers in the community. The 100.00 cheque
presented to Mrs. Strong by club President Keith Thompson would be sent on to
the Botton Hall Village a charitable organisation dedicated to enhancing the
lifestyles of people with learning difficulties.
The other recipient of
the Community Service Award was Councillor Andrew Carter, a well known local
politician in the Pudsey area. But it was for non-political service to the
community that he was being honoured today. Past President David Hainsworth
listed the many activities which Andrew is involved in. Besides being a school
governor for thirty years, he was one of the founders in 1973 and first
chairman of the Pudsey Disabled Club and a former Chairman and President of
Pudsey Council for Voluntary Service. He was active in the Citizens Advice
Bureau and Chairman for 3 years and founding Chairman of Leeds support Group
Swordfish Heritage Trust and has been involved in organising celebrations for
the Centenary of Victoria Park and Farsley Millennium.
In response, Mr.
Carter said that as a former member of the Pudsey Rotary club he was deeply
honoured by the award, but if anyone deserved an award it was the rear gunner
of the Swordfish aeroplane, made in Leeds during the war, who survived and
still lived in Farsley. His call for help in preserving one of the last
examples of the plane had led to the setting up of the Swordfish Trust. He
thanked the club for their generosity and said that his 100.00 cheque would be
donated to the Samaritans.
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