An Erewash Sound volunteer is to be honoured for his contribution to society as part of the 2020 Erewash Mayor's Awards.
In a borough council first, the Mayor, Councillor Sue Beardsley, hopes to present the winners with the honour during a personal visit, which will follow all safety guidelines.
Former Erewash Sound board chairman and Morning Plus presenter David Allen was one of five caring residents set to be presented with their awards at Long Eaton Town Hall on Wednesday 21 October but the event had to be cancelled due to the strict Tier 2 Covid-19 guidelines.
The awards recognise groups or individuals who carry out vital work in their community without expecting anything in return.
A virtual meeting of the judging panel – which included councillors and local community representatives - discussed the nominations, made by local residents, and looked for evidence of special qualities and service beyond simply being a ‘good neighbour’ when picking out the award winners.
Councillor Sue Beardsley, the Mayor of Erewash, said: “Presenting awards to pay tribute to people in this borough who give so much to our communities is such an honour for me and one of the shining memories in what has been a very difficult year for everyone. Covid will not stop me from personally congratulating and thanking this year’s Mayor’s Award recipients for all that they do.
“These awards are led by residents who make all the nominations so thank you to them. But I would also like to express my gratitude to all those who work so selflessly in our borough throughout the year – and, of course, particularly during this year’s challenging times. It is a privilege to have met many of you.”
David, who stepped down as chairman of the Erewash Sound CIC board in November 2019, has volunteered at Erewash Sound for ten years, promoting local activities and events whilst doing so and is well known for being somewhat of a theatre guru, championing local venues and theatre companies and drama groups across the borough, and directed two fundraising variety shows run by Erewash Sound at the Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton. He shares his passion and support for Erewash arts with others.
David, who comes from Ilkeston, is a former headteacher and first came across the radio station when members provided a public address for a school event. Retirement gave him the opportunity to embrace his interest in radio and despite only pledging to present one show a week, soon had the bug and, until recently, was presenting four weekday Morning Plus shows and Saturday Breakfast, but can now be heard regularly with an extra hour too, on the Saturday Morning Breakfast Show from 7am, however, he can also often be drawn to fill in for other presenters from time to time too!