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YEARS OF SERVICE MAKE JOHN A CUP WINNER

This year’s Brian Rhodes Community Cup was awarded to the tireless John Bamford, who gives so much of his time and energy to voluntary causes in Claygate.

The cup is awarded by the Parish Council to the individual Claygate resident or worker judged to have contributed most to community life and wellbeing in the previous 12 months. Nominations can be made by anyone who lives or works in Claygate and the 2024 trophy was presented to John at the annual Village Meeting held at Claygate Primary School in April.

John was the judges’ unanimous choice—a reflection of the many years of service he has given to our community. In the past year, he has been both Vice-Chair (formerly Chair) of the Claygate Flower Show and Joint Organiser (formerly Chair) of the Country 5 Run; Vice-Chair of the Village Hall Association; and Treasurer of Friends of Claygate Centre.

He also set up a lunch club earlier this year to ensure that more senior residents could get a hot meal once a week during the winter months while Claygate Community Centre was closed. In previous years, he has contributed in several other ways, including: 20 years delivering Meals on Wheels, including on Christmas Day; being a Trustee of The Friends of Capelfield Surgery for 20 years; vaccination work in two centres during the pandemic; and many years of service as both a Parish Councillor and Non-Voting Adviser to the Council’s Planning Committee.

So, thank you for all your service to our community, John. You’re a most worthy winner!