A vaccine coordinator at Hadleigh Health Centre has praised her fellow volunteers after receiving the annual Mayor's Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community.

Jan Devey last night accepted the award from councillor Frank Minns at the annual town meeting held at St Mary's Church, due to social distancing restriction.

Mrs Devey told Nub News she had never had to organise a roster before, but the task and been made easier by the amazing contribution and cooperation of her fellow volunteers.

In her acceptance speech Mrs Devey said: "I am delighted to receive this ward but I could not have done it alone.

"I might have been the bossy-boots in charge but without the dedicated army of volunteers we could not have achieved all that was necessary. We could not have kept the car parks and marquees functioning the way they needed to be.

"Volunteers turned up in all weathers dealt with all kinds of tricky situations and still come back for more. It has also been a pleasure for us all to support one of the best health centres in the area and give them one less thing to think about outside their own work."

She also thanked the Fidelis Friendship team for all their 'unwavering support'.

Mrs Devey added: "After this I think we can handle the Olympics or the next NATO exercise."

Mayor Minns said the town had faced a number of challenges over the past year but praised the selflessness and kindness that has supported many vulnerable and isolated people, in particular the Hadleigh Cares team and two food banks.

"Since the vaccination programme began, we have seen another wave of volunteers support our brilliant health centre," said Mayor Minns. "Dozens and dozens of people have done amazing things during these grim times, and the first real sign of hope has been the brilliant success of the inoculation programme here.

"One person, I feel, has done magnificently to enrol the volunteers who have marshalled us, encouraged us and handled some long queues in sometimes atrocious weather - Jan Devey. I am therefore delighted to present her tonight with my award, in recognition of all she has done."

Representatives from a number of groups made their reports, including the Hadleigh branch of the Royal British Legion, that will be marking its centenary with a number of events, and has helped in organising Armed Forces Day with Babergh and Wattisham Flying Station.

The Ansell Centre, Together Tuesday and Hadleigh Dementia Action Alliance, Hidden Gardens, Hadleigh Community Choir, HEAT and the Hadleigh Cycling Club, were among groups that also gave reports to the meeting.

Questions and comments from the public included Roger Young who has concerns about the council's finances (full story here). Andrew Knock who asked if the mayor had misled the public with his comments regarding Cllr Carol Schleip's prejudicial remarks against employing ex-services.Full story here... Both were told answers would be given after the meeting.

Mayor Minns announced his two chosen charities for the year are the Porch Project and the Friends of St Mary's Church.

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