Second round of Festival of Suffolk Torch Relay bearers revealed
The second round of people who will be taking part in a giant cross-county torch relay as part of a festival celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee have been revealed.
The relay, for the Festival of Suffolk, will begin in Brandon on May 13 and pass through 250 towns and villages, over 550 miles in distance, before finally reaching the Suffolk Show in Ipswich on June 1.
Following the first round of people last week the second round has now been revealed:
Jean Savigar
Jean, of Risby, set up a support group for vulnerable residents during the first coronavirus lockdown and helped with shopping, collecting prescriptions and more.
She also recruited other volunteers to help.
Jean said: “I’m sure many other people would have reacted and started a community group at the onset of the pandemic.
"I immediately realised that in our village there would be a large number of elderly, vulnerable or poorly residents who would struggle to get shopping, prescriptions or even need help with dog walking.
"There were also a number of people who felt very frightened and confused by the terrible change in their daily lives.
"My job before I retired was a community palliative care nurse.
"I was able to use my previous skills to relate to the challenge the pandemic was inevitably going to create."
Jean set up a Facebook page and had nearly 50 residents offer their help.
Jean, who has lived in Suffolk for around five years, said she believed the pandemic brought out the best in people.
Ian Patterson Parker
Ian, of Honington, provided three hot take away meals per week in the village as well as neighbouring Sapiston and other villages and hamlets during Covid-19 lockdowns.
The food was free, grant funded, and given to families who would normally get free school meals.
Ian, who is a chef by profession, worked 'unstintingly' during this time, his nominator said.
Peter Turner and Peter Fisk
Both Peters are from Great Barton.
Peter Fisk is a parish councillor of 47 years and also chair of the village hall trustees.
Peter Turner is the main fund-raiser in the village.
Both Peters will be relaying the torch between Honington and Bury.
Eileen Towns
Eileen, of Haverhill, was nominated by her great, great, granddaughter Faye (pictured).
Eileen, 95, was born in the same month as the Queen and moved to East Anglia in 1963.
She said she remembers the jubilee street parties and has always been a proud royalist, often telling people she is 'two weeks older than the Queen'.
Joan Key
Joan, of Haverhill, is running the torch from May 17.
She said: "I was in the last year at the Grammar School, in Greenford Middle, and two pupils from each form were selected to go to see the parade.
"I was not one of the chosen, so stayed at home and listened on the radio, then a few days later, watched it all on the newsreel in the cinema."
Deborah Sweeney
Deborah is the sister in charge of the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook.
She has been nominated by her colleagues.
Deborah has worked as a nurse at RHS for 11 years and in Suffolk Accident and Emergency hospitals for many more.
She was in charge of caring for boarding pupils during the coronavirus pandemic, ensuring they were cared for during isolation.
Derrick Thomas and Titius
Derrick, of Ipswich, will be carrying the torch with his great-grandson Titus, aged 5.
He will be carrying it from Ipswich (Whitton) to Hadleigh.
Simon Waspe
Simon, of Finborough, was nominated by his brother Simon to be the torchbearer between Stowmarket and Walsham-le-Willows, in recognition of his services to the haulage industry.
He was also nominated for going above and beyond in his role in the village's parish council and for his charity truckshows in Suffolk, which have raised over £30,000.
Hayley Pollard and Derrick Haley
Hayley and Derrick, both of Thurston, were nominated to carry the torch through the village on May 23.
Hayley Pollard is a booking secretary for the Cavendish Hall, and also a primary school governor.
Derrick will join the torch relay using his walking aid or wheelchair.
Derrick was a district councillor for the Thurston Ward and deputy leader of Mid Suffolk Council for six years, and leader for a further six years.
He has also been a parish chairman in Thurston and involved with parish affairs for a number of years and has lived in the village since 1969.
Stephen Hart
Stephen is a scout leader in Carlton Colville who is very community-focused.
He has worked in partnership with the town council on community projects and was nominated by one of its councillors.
Heather Phillips
Heather, 94, has lived in Wenhaston, near Halesworth, her whole life.
Her grandfather was a councillor in Halesworth in the 1880's.
Heather became a parish councillor in 1955 and has been on the council ever since.
She received an MBE for 50 years of service to the community in 2005.
Ozzy Rayner
Ozzy, of Rendlesham, has been nominated by the village parish council as their torch bearer.
Ozzy has Prader-Willi Syndrome, but does not let it hold him back and is a 'little ray of sunshine'.
Prader-Willi syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes a wide range of physical symptoms, learning difficulties and behavioural challenges.
In February, Ozzy and his mum raised £800 for Cancer Research by running and cycling.
