Celebrating Witney’s Community Champions

Last night I had the great pleasure of attending the Mayor of Witney’s Annual Civic Reception and Citizen Awards, hosted by the Mayor of Witney, Councillor Andy Bailey. It was a warm and uplifting evening – a reminder that so much of what makes our towns and communities thrive comes from the quiet dedication of volunteers who simply get on and make things better for others.

It was also particularly good to see Andy himself on the road to recovery after a recent period of ill health. He was very much back in form and, I am pleased to report, sporting his trademark shiny green leather boots, which have become something of a mayoral signature.

The evening was accompanied by live music from the Witney Guitar Club, a friendly community group bringing together acoustic musicians of all styles and abilities. In the programme they likened themselves to Fisherman’s Friends – the Cornish sea shanty group – though Andy clearly found that comparison slightly confusing in his remarks, referring instead to the lozenge-shaped healthy sweets!

Confusion aside, the music was excellent and thoroughly enjoyable. I found myself happily singing along to several of their numbers, including The Wild Rover and Sunshine on Leith, which made for a wonderfully convivial start to the evening.

Youth Organisation of the Year – 1st Witney Brownies

One of the highlights of the evening was seeing the 1st Witney Brownies recognised as Youth Organisation of the Year.

Brownies welcomes girls aged 7–10 and offers them a space where they can grow in confidence, creativity and independence – whether learning new skills, exploring the outdoors, cooking, or trying something for the first time. The nomination captured it beautifully, noting the welcoming and nurturing environment created by the leaders, where every girl is supported and encouraged to be herself.

It was wonderful to see the girls themselves present – a vivid reminder that youth organisations continue to play a vital role in helping young people flourish.

Community Organisation of the Year – Witney Community Meal

Another inspiring recognition went to the Witney Community Meal, which provides free meals every Thursday at High Street Methodist Church. Supported by Oxfordshire County Council’s Connected Communities Fund, the project addresses food poverty and social isolation while creating a welcoming space for conversation and connection. Since launching in 2023, more than 2,000 meals have been served.

Sometimes the simplest ideas – sharing food and time together – can have the most powerful impact.

Citizen of the Year – Sonia Jevis

The title of Citizen of the Year was awarded to Sonia Jevis, a tireless volunteer with the Witney and District Museum and a passionate champion of local heritage.

Sonia’s guided history and heritage walking tours have become a much-loved feature of the town, the result of countless hours of personal research. Educational, entertaining and deeply engaging, they often conclude with poetry – a personal touch that many participants find deeply moving. She even sometimes appears in costume, for example as a witch during ghost or mystery tours.

Her enthusiasm for Witney’s history and her generosity in sharing it with others make her a truly deserving recipient.

Caring for the Environment

The Mayor also presented Special Awards for Caring for the Environment, recognising:

• Annie McNamara, whose regular litter-picking while walking her rescue dogs keeps local streets clean while also raising awareness about adopting rescue animals.

• The Volunteer Gardeners at Witney Community Hospital, who lovingly maintain the hospital gardens, creating a calm and peaceful space for patients, visitors and staff.

Both are wonderful examples of the quiet acts of service that make such a difference to the quality of life in our communities.

A Town Built on Service

Events like this remind us that civic life is sustained not only by institutions but by individuals – people who say “yes” when something needs doing, and then keep saying yes again and again.

Witney clearly has many such people.

Congratulations to all the award recipients, and thank you to Andy and Witney Town Council for bringing the community together to celebrate them. It was a joyful evening – and a powerful reminder that the strength of a town is measured not just by its buildings or businesses, but by the generosity of its people.