A COMMUNITY spirited man who has volunteered extensively for the communities of Badsey and Aldington has been given a prestigious award for his efforts.
Patrick Sparrow was handed the accolade at the 16th AGM of The Badsey Society where the annual Tony Jerram Award is presented.
The award is given each year in memory of the late Tony Jerram (1937-2008), the first Chairman of The Badsey Society, and is given to somebody who the members feel has contributed to the good of the local community.
Until his retirement in 2016, Patrick served as Honorary Treasurer of the Badsey Flower Show Committee for 40 years.
This length of service to a parish organisation has rarely been matched.
He was also prominent in forming the Aldington Residents’ Association which has done a lot of good work in promoting community spirit in the village. Patrick also served as the organisation’s chairman for about ten years.
Barbara Jerram presented Patrick with the award, which was won by Patrick’s older brother Terry four years ago.
The Sparrow brothers between them have given almost 100 years of service to the village between them.
Following an interval, Terry Sparrow spoke about the history of Badsey Rangers Football Club.
Will Dallimore and Brian ‘Betjeman’ Smith, the Aldington poet, then entertained the assembled group with readings from a selection of Brian’s poems, accompanied by some light-hearted banter.
Membership of the Badsey Society is £5 per year. Visit www.badseysociety.uk for more.
