'Southwark People' serving the people

The vital role many Southwark Anglicans play in their local communities has been highlighted in May at at a series of award ceremonies and in local elections.

On Saturday 11 May at a Southwark Council awards ceremony in St George's Cathedral, Audrey Ryan from Southwark St Hugh's and Ivy Davies of Charlton, St Luke's were awarded the Honorary Liberty of Bermondsey and Winifred Jordan from Peckham, St John's, was granted the Honorary Liberty of Peckham, for their work in the community. Carol Haynes, also from St John's, received a Letter of Commendation for her work with young people as did Dominic Welch for his voluntary work with Peckham youngsters at the Damilola Taylor centre.

Audrey Ryan, a great-great-grandmother, is Churchwarden at St Hugh's and known to many as the telephonist/receptionist of Trinity House.

Ivy Davies has been Administrative Secretary for Southwark MENCAP since 1989, organising meetings, raising funds and taking a party of people with learning difficulties to France each year.

Win Jordan is a long-serving member of the PCC and former churchwarden. She represents the church and neighbourhood on local groups particularly on issues of regeneration.

Health Service worker and mother of two, Carole Haynes is a Sunday School teacher and Youth Leader. She gives Saturdays to take the young people on outings and part of her annual leave to take them on holiday.

At the Damilola Taylor Centre, 19 year old Dominic Welch coaches young people in football skills. At one time Damilola was one of his group. Dominic, who spoke at the opening of the Centre last November, in the presence of the Prime Minister, has been an altar server at St Giles, Camberwell, since he was seven. His mother, Debbie Welch, was for some years a member of the Woolwich Area Mission Team.

Meanwhile Merton Borough has elected Cllr Edith Macauley from St Martin's, Morden as Mayor. Team Vicar Colin Wood is to be her Chaplain. Cllr Carole Hubbard - elected as Mayor of Bromley - is a member of St Mary's, West Wickham, and in Tandridge, District Council Chairman, David Weightman from Oxted St Mary is in training for the Ordained Local ministry.

In Southwark, Veronica Ward of the Coplestone Centre (St Saviour's) has been elected to the council seat vacated by her vicar's wife, Mrs Janet Heatley; Michelle Pearce, a member of St Barnabas, Dulwich, who has been the Chair of Housing and a Cabinet member, was re-elected - and Dulwich St Faith's Vicar, the Rev. Hugh Dawes, only missed joining them on the Council by 45 votes.