THE MAYOR of West Devon has paid tribute to the ‘dedication and commitment’ of this year’s winners of the West Devon Borough Council Mayoral Awards.

Four out of the five have gone to people in Okehampton, with honours for a teacher with green vision, a Brownie leader who is also a Dartmoor step dancer and two teenage entrepreneurs making and selling jewellery to raise money for local charities.

The awards made by mayor Cllr Tony Leech were posted rather than presented this year, with the Covid-19 restrictions making the usual ceremony impossible. Once life returns to normal, though, the winners will be invited to celebrate their achievements with the mayor.

Among three winners in the 18 and Under category was Christabel White of South Zeal, a leader of her local Brownies, who also gives time to the local pre-school and a folk dance group for children alongside a busy schedule as a Dartmoor step dancer.

Debbie Jessop, who nominated Christabel, said: ‘She just deserves recognition because if there is anything that needs doing or anyone who needs help, Christabel will be there.

‘She is a one-woman whirlwind. She is very involved in the folk world but more importantly than that she is very involved in her community. She is just such a lovely, warm, really generous-hearted girl.’

Also winning the 18 and Under category were Megan Letchford and Ella Kaye of Okehampton, who set up ‘Charms for Change’ selling jewellery they make themselves locally and online to raise an amazing £700 for seven local charities.

Megan’s dad Martyn Letchford, who nominated her for the award, said: ‘It’s great to see young people making a difference and raising money for charity. Megan and Ella have engaged with students to find out which charities they want to support and it’s been really successful. Megan has always been thoughtful and kind, has helped kids with dance classes and OCRA but this venture has been all off their own bat and I am very proud of her.’

The Mayor’s Green Award, meanwhile, went to Fran Rickwood, teacher at Okehampton Primary School, who was nominated by town councillor Jan Goffey for her work as environmental coordinator at the school.

Fran's projects have included a crisp packet recycling scheme in school, spreading the message of caring for our environment to many hundreds of children and securing the school official status as an ‘eco school’.

Cllr Goffey, herself a retired teacher, said: ‘Fran is the sort of classroom assistant you dream of having, proactive and enthusiastic. It is a well-deserved award.’

The Over 18 category was won by June Wildman, a founder member of the Tavistock Memory Café, for her work supporting those living with dementia in Tavistock. She said she was ‘very humbled’ to win the award.