First round of Festival of Suffolk Torch Relay bearers revealed
The first round of people who will be taking part in a giant cross-county Festival of Suffolk torch relay have been revealed.
The relay 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.
A total of 19 names have been revealed so far with many more to be announced in the coming weeks. Here are the first round people who will be representing their area in the relay:
Jonathan Phipps - Denham near Barrow
Fifteen-year-old Jonathan has profound and multiple learning disability. He is a wheelchair user, is non-verbal and has uncontrolled epilepsy.
The teen previously won the Raising the Bar award from Suffolk County Council, which celebrates inspirational youngsters and young achievers.
His mum Carol, who nominated him, said: "We like to provide him with as many different experiences as possible and think he would love to take part."
Jim Herrington - Bury St Edmunds
Jim Herrington will be torch bearer for the Bury St Edmunds section of the relay.
For the last 10 years, Jim has given up his Christmas Day to act as the Cook for the Gatehouse Christmas lunch in St Benedicts which feeds an average of 85-90 people each year with a 3 course dinner.
Jim is also an active member of St Mary's Church and a seven-a-side football player, and has been called an 'unsung hero' by those that nominated him.
Jill Goodwin - Moulton
Jill has been the Chair of Moulton Village hall for several years. She also produces the village newsletter and organises many annual events including the 'village tidy up'.
She was nominated for her hard work and dedication to the village.
Beryl Dyson - Great Livermere
Beryl, 91, has lived in Great Livermere for all her life. She and her late husband ran many events and fundraisers for the village and for children in the area.
Tony Gearing - Stradishall
Tony founded the charity YOPEY, a befriending scheme, and has worked to support care home residents with dementia during the pandemic.
The MBE winner said: "I’m flattered to be taking part in the Suffolk Torch Relay to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Throughout the pandemic Suffolk children and young people have helped me support 2,000 care homes UK-wide by writing letters to locked-down residents."
Adrian Lee - Stradishall
Adiran has been a long-standing parish councillor and is described as 'always willing to help out to support the local community'.
Those that nominated him called him a 'stalwart of the community.'
Joyce Flynn - Nowton
Joyce Flynn has been a resident in Nowton since she moved there in March 1947 aged three and has played an active role in village life ever since.
She said: "I believe I was nominated as I am the longest living resident of the village having moved in in March 1947 with my mother, and older brother and sister (my father still being away serving in the war).
"My family has always had ties to the village and although many have either moved or passed away I am still here although not in the same property."
Margaret Baker - Coddenham
Margaret Baker was nominated as she has "worked quietly in the background for many years". She volunteers to bake cakes that are for sale in the community shop.
Wendy Sadler - Shotley
79-year-old Wendy is described as a 'local hero' having done lots of work for the community over the years.
Jonty Edgar and Leo Christie - Hadleigh
Jonty and Leo are two young people from Hadleigh who are currently fundraising to travel to the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea in 2023 next year.
Nominating Jonty, Craig Thomson-Hay, Hadleigh Explorer Leader, said: "It is fantastic that a member of the Hadleigh Explorers is taking part in the Festival of Suffolk Torch Relay, representing the section and driving the Scout movement forward.
"Jonty should be proud to be part of both the relay and the Scout Jamboree 23 in South Korea."
Michael Hardiman and his dog Berkeley - Woolpit
Michael and his dog were nominated by residents as they are 'the eyes, ears and nose of the village'.
Those nominating Michael said that he 'very much deserved the honour'.
Joan Norman - Eye
Joan is the Eye Scout leader and has been scouting for 45 years.
She said, of her nomination: “I am very honoured to be nominated to be the torch bearer for the Festival of Suffolk relay in Eye.
"Our Scout Group has over 100 young people enjoying all the scouting activities and learning skills for life and I am very proud of our group.
"Scouting has given me so many opportunities. I have canoed, sailed, climbed, abseiled, learnt archery, first Aid, camping skills and a great many more fantastic achievements alongside our young people.
"I have made many friends through scouting and it has been a privilege to play a small part in the lives of so many boys and girls over the years.”
Martha Coleman - Bungay
Martha is the Bungay Community Support Project Coordinator and played an 'integral' part in the creation and running of the BECS (Bungay Emergency Community Support) from the very beginning of the Covid pandemic.
Those nominating her said she continues to play an important role in co-ordinating efforts to help the community with several new schemes Martha has initiated including Warm Rooms and the Baby Bank.
She will be representing Bungay in the relay.
Mark Ellis - Carlton Colville
Mark Ellis is the Licensed Lay Minister at St Peters Church. His nominator said he kept the church up and running through the pandemic before a new vicar was put in place, which was quite some time.
Mark recalls the difficulties of online worship during this time. He will be representing Carlton Colville in the torch relay.
Stephen Hart - Carlton Colville
Stephen is a local scout leader who has worked through the pandemic and is described as 'community focused'.
He will be carrying to torch for Carlton Colville and was nominated by a councillor.
Chris Cage - Ufford
Chris Cage is described as the 'heart' of the Ufford Community Hall. At one stage she was Chair, Treasurer and Maintenance Officer and kept the hall alive through hard times.
When nominated, it was said that without Chris' hard work the hall 'would have probably closed'.
Helen Lewis - Hollesley
Helen Lewis has been nominated for her work in the community, including a 'Meet-up-Mondays' group, described as a 'life-saver' for residents.
Nina Davis - Trimley
Nina was nominated for her work tending to the flower beds in the middle of the mini roundabout on the West side of the village for over 20 years.
She also looks after the beds in both Church's memorial gardens & Signals Hi-fi and volunteers at the Trimley Churches including 37 years as secretary, flower arranging and serving refreshments at the weekly community café.
Alongside Nina will be Angela Ramsden, who has been involved in scout groups, playgroups and running the doctor’s surgery with her husband.
She too loves gardening and is an active member of the Trimley Church where she is one of the flower arranging team.
Those that nominated her said: "Whenever there is a Church project such as the recent Christmas Trail in the Churchyard over Christmas, she will be in the thick of it."
