The Annual Town Meeting was held on Tuesday 28th May 2024. Traditionally at this meeting outstanding service awards are presented.
Nominations are advertised in advance of the meeting and anyone is entitled to put forward nominations. This year the Mayor presented two people with awards. Please read below details of two candidates that collected their awards and what their respective proposers had to say of their achievements in the community.
Charlotte Rogers 
“For the last 26 years Charlotte has been part of Girlguiding Chard as a leader and she has given 100% enthusiasm for the organisation. She is passionate about giving girls the opportunity to experience lots of different activities and opportunities to develop independence. She has organised several bingos to raise funds for various camps and trips. Even now, when she has a family Charlotte is still as enthusiastic and encourages everyone to gain new experiences and make amazing memories. Some of these include Sleeping under the stars on Brownsea Island and the lawn of the Bishop’s palace for the king’s coronation.
Charlotte has been a member of Girlguiding Chard since she joined as a Brownie and has worked her way up. Whilst Charlotte was a young Leader with us, she was also a member of Explorers (Senior scouts) and completed her Queens Scout Award, such is her enthusiasm for adventure.
She has also been a District Commissioner for Chard and always been supportive to other leaders in the District. Until 6 years ago Charlotte ran 1st Chard Guides, but unfortunately due to dwindling numbers and lack of adults the decision was made to join the 2 Guide units together and there is now 19 Girls on the register with 7 waiting to join!!
Now that she has a daughter, as well as being heavily involved with Guiding, Charlotte now helps with PTFA for her daughter’s school.
She is a good friend and is always willing to help whenever someone needs something.
Charlotte is kind, caring, and helpful, always busy, juggling family time with everything she does for Girlguiding in Chard.
Charlotte deserves to be successful with this nomination as she is always thinking of others and nothing is too much for her. She very rarely says no, just ‘what do you need me to do?’”
Tessa Goodridge- Reynolds
“I nominate Tessa as in all she does she goes above and beyond!
She is a Director of Chard Community Hub with responsibility for Events.
She is at the Hub every Tuesday morning having prepared her ideas and materials for her Art Session. She is very creative and talented and so encouraging to those who come to the group. Over the months people have blossomed and gained more confidence in their abilities as well as a pride in themselves thanks to Tessa’s encouragement.
She is responsible for the Community Calendar which appears on Facebook every week with all the Hub Events.
An invaluable reminder to us all.
She set up and runs the School Uniform exchange at the Hub.
Typically Tessa everything is neatly arranged and ordered.
Once again Tessa values the items of clothing and makes them look attractive to those who need them.
She has also arranged some evening clothes exchanges too..again very successfully.
As being in charge of Events there is very much a focus on Raising money for the Hub.
Tessa and other volunteers are regularly doing the refreshments at events such as Cloks or Cine Chard.
She organises Raffles and Tombolas at different events. Not easy these days to persuade folk to donate prizes but Tessa has a winning way !
She has also organised the Highly Successful Halloween activities
and the Father Christmas Grotto at Fore Street Hub as part of the Town’s Community Events.
Tessa works really hard for our Town. She is very approachable a great listener and very enthusiastic. Whatever she does she does to the best of her ability.
She is a great Team player and l believe she deserves this award. She never pushes herself forward she just gets on in the background!”
If you would like to nominate someone next year then please keep an eye on our website and social media for details closer to the time.