Mayor’s awards for five of Leamington’s unsung heroes

Chris Johnson and Margaret Moore (middle and right) of Leamington Night Shelter pictured at the Warwick District Citizen of the Year Awards 2012, at which they were finalists.

Rotary Club of Royal Leamington Spa member Mike Wilkinson, Leamington Night Shelter founders Margaret Moore and Chris Johnson, Circle Singers’ musical director Beresford King Smith and historian  Alan Griffin will receive a Mayor’s Award at Leamington Town Hall.

The ceremony will be part of the meeting which marks the changeover of the outgoing and incoming town mayor.

Mr Wilkinson said: “It is an extraordinary honour. i didn’t realise I had done so much but it has got to be down to the people working with me as well. They have raised enormous amounts of money for good causes over the years and I am just helping them to with that.”

Mr Wilkinson is past president of the Rotary Club and has been a member for 14 years.

He has been closely associated with the club’s successful annual fundraising raft race and the Trees of Light campaigns at Christmas.

Mrs Moore and Mr Johnson founded the night shelter at the Radford Road Methodist and United Reform Church for the homeless, needy and vulnerable on Wednesday and Sunday evenings.

The scheme is entirely voluntary and has provided much needed support and friendship for those who are most vulnerable in our society.

Mr Griffin is a former chairman of the Leamington History Group and current town mace bearer.

He was one of the founding members of the Blue Plaque Group and continues to participate in all matters relating to Leamington’s heritage and history.

Mr King Smith was appointed as the musical director of The Circle Singers of Royal Leamington Spa in 1993.

He has led the choir in three overseas trips and most of its concerts have been in aid of a charity of some kind or the National Trust.