Revd Alison Waters, Rector at Cannington, Otterhampton with Combwich, and Stockland (Benefice) has been awarded a Somerset Medal for being one of the county’s ‘unsung coronavirus heroes. It’s the first time Somerset County Council has recognised the contribution of local people in this way. The winners were announced on Somerset Day to say ‘a heartfelt thank you to the best of the best.’
Announcing the awards a spokesperson for the council said: "Alison was honoured for coordinating with Cannington Health Centre and arranging the safe delivery of prescriptions to the shielding patients around Cannington, Combwich and Stockland Bristol. Alison did the lion’s share of these deliveries using the opportunity to keep in contact with those isolated individuals. Alison also set up Cannington Volunteers which gathered offers of help and matched them with those who were shielding or housebound."
Alison who worked alongside the members of the local United Reform Church and Village Agents throughout, said she was surprised, but extremely honoured to learn she was to be one of the medal winners. It is particularly special to her as she hails from Somerset herself. "I think it’s marvellous to be able to mark the fact that people stepped up at this difficult time and showed how important community is in Somerset. How our villages are able to draw upon that care for one another, the knowledge of one another. It meant that we were able to be there on the ground providing for people.”
Councillor David Fothergill, Leader of Somerset County Council, said:” The number and quality of the nominations we received were quite astounding. It was humbling and immensely heartening to read so many stories of how people have responded so positively to the coronavirus crisis, putting others’ wellbeing first and foremost.”
Alison together with all the winners will receive their medals later this year when Covid restrictions allow.
Also winning awards on Somerset Day were pupils Daisy, from King Ina Church of England Academy and Phoebe from Creech St Michael Primary School, who were joint winners of the Somerset Day design a flag competition. Their winning designs were made into full-sized flags to fly at their school.
Assistant Head Creech St Michael Primary School, Carol Nightingale said: "We were delighted that joint winner of the competition was Phoebe from our school. We also had 2nd and 3rd place winners in the Upper Key Stage Two competition - Jessica, Billy and Maisie.”