A 'GREEN' champion who has put West Devon firmly on the map with his work to protect and conserve the environment has won a new award from the Mayor of West Devon.
Keith Webber of North Tawton is the first recipient of the mayor's green award, which recognises his achievements in the community.
Two other mayoral award winners join Mr Webber for their dedication and accomplishments in West Devon – national youth swimmer Alex Wooldridge from Sticklepath and volunteer Anita Prosser, chairman of the trustees of West Devon Citizens' Advice Bureaux.
Their commitment will be recognised by the council next month when West Devon mayor Cllr Terry Pearce presents the awards to the trio.
Cllr Pearce, who chaired a panel of judges to select the award winners, said: 'The quality of nominations we received this year was extremely high and we had a very hard choice to make.
'However, it's heartening to know that we have so many good citizens who are dedicated to helping their communities in so many ways and also to those whose achievements in the wider arena make us so proud.
'We hold our awards every year so that these people can be recognised by their peers. I hope that the residents and organisations of the borough will, in future years, continue to nominate individuals who make such a difference to us all.'
Green award winner Mr Webber was nominated by three different organisations – Okehampton College, Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council and Okehampton Town Council. They all praised his work in keeping green solutions at the top of the agenda both within the college and the community at large.
Daryll Chapman, principal at Okehampton College, praised Mr Webber for his work within the school, which includes raising money for energy efficient photovoltaic units to be fitted to the sports hall.
Mr Chapman said: 'Keith has pledged to ensure that every educational establishment in the Okehampton learning community has energy efficiency equipment installed by the end of the year, and to become the first community in Devon, and probably in the country, to achieve this.'
His views are supported by the two councils who say Mr Webber's efforts are making a real difference within their communities.
West Devon swimmer Alex Wooldridge is a national youth finalist and is among the top ten swimmers in the country. Last month the teenager claimed two medals at the 2009 Devon County Championships. He was nominated for the 18 years and under mayoral award by Okehampton Town Council.
Anita Prosser is chairman of the trustees of West Devon Citizens' Advice Bureaux. She has been involved with the CAB for many years and has seen the local organisation through the successful amalgamation of the Tavistock and Okehampton bureaux. She was nominated by Barbara Osborne, manager of West Devon CAB, for the adult mayoral award.
Mrs Osborne said: 'We feel that Anita is an unsung champion of the service we provide. She has been a major force in our successes. She is supportive and understanding, interested and interesting, ready to challenge but also to listen and consider.'