A GROUP of restoration volunteers, two community champions and a teenage football coach are all winners of this year's West Devon Mayoral Awards.

West Devon Borough Council received many nominations for the awards, which recognise the efforts of people working to improve life in local communities.

The under 18 award for 2015 goes to Tavistock College student Mark Lewis.

For many years, Mark has given up every Friday evening to coach young people and adults involved with Tavy Specials Football Club.

From warm-up exercises to tournaments, he works with many different children, women and men who all have severe learning difficulties or disabilities.

This year Mark will undergo further training in the hope of becoming a qualified referee.

Mark was nominated by the head of Year 10 at the college, Julie Greener and his tutor, Tess Adams, who wrote that: 'Mark is an inspirational young man.

'He does not advertise the good work that he does; he just gets on with it.'

Chris Marson and David Youle were this year's joint winners of the award for an organisation or individual over 18.

Chris has been instrumental in contributing to the community of Northlew through various initiatives and projects.

In June 2014, he was a driving force in organising a First World War memorial, which acknowledged that the community lost a higher proportion of local men who enlisted to the war than any other town or village in the country. 

Northlew lost its village shop in 2009 and Chris was key to securing funds and planning approval for a new shop in 2012. His work and determination were also integral to the village receiving broadband in 2009.

Chris was nominated by MP Mel Stride, who said: 'He has been totally selfless in his support of others, tending to avoid the limelight but making a lot of positive things happen.'

David Youle was recognised for his outstanding commitment to the Church House in South Tawton. In 2005, the future of the house was uncertain, and a lot work was required with no available funds.

As project manager, David almost single-handedly set out to raise sufficient money to plan Church House's future sustainability. He obtained a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Dartmoor National Park, and a number of other trusts and charities.

He has devoted the last ten years to volunteering in the house — organising all bookings, managing finances, acting as Caretaker and even cleaning.

John Christian, his nominator, said: 'David's involvement is prodigious, selfless and entirely voluntary.

'To say that he has 'done something particularly noteworthy within the borough' is, I believe, an understatement.'

The 2015 mayor's green award has gone to the 'Forgotten Garden of Lewtrenchard'.

The woodland garden project aims to restore a garden that was abandoned early last century when estate staff were called up to serve in the First World War. The five-acre site is located next to Lewtrenchard Church and Manor Hotel.

For the past eight years, a small group of volunteers has been restoring the site by clearing trees, creating footpaths, and rebuilding a 'holy well'. They have also planted a flower meadow and restored a stream.

Nominator, Caroline Stewart, said: 'The volunteers try to be as environmentally aware as possible.

'It has become a pleasant place for dog walkers and the general public to appreciate nature in a very tranquil setting.'

The winners will receive their awards at a special presentation event on Tuesday, March 31 at the borough council's Kilworthy Park offices in Tavistock.

Mayor of West Devon, Cllr Christine Marsh, said: 'I would like to thank everyone who was nominated this year.

'There were many strong candidates and I would urge people to reapply next year, as it was very difficult to choose from such a worthy selection of nominees.

'I would like to congratulate the winners and pay tribute to all our unsung heroes and heroines who play such a vital role in the community life of West Devon.'

To find out more about mayoral awards, please visit: http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk