Community Stars Award shortlist: Vote in the Good Neighbour category

Sponsored by Incommunities, one of the largest housing providers in the UK, the award celebrates people that go above and beyond to do the neighbourly thing in their local community.

The finalists are: Phil and Chris Stead, Pauline Kitchen from Norwood Avenue Residents Group and Margaret Wright.

Phil and Chris Stead

Phil and Chris Stead support their neighbours in their elderly housing complex with weekly lunch clubs with home cooked meals, games afternoons, singing performances, exercise afternoons and more.

The pensioners, described as “young-at-heart” by their nominee, are all about promoting good wellbeing - both mental and physical.

One of their most appreciated ventures is cooking a community meal on Christmas Day for residents who don’t have families.

The husband and wife duo fundraise all the money for special events and plants and flowers to make the entrance and sitting area bright and cheery for visitors.

Chris Stead told the Telegraph & Argus: “We just do it. We cook a lunch up to about 30 people every Tuesday. Most of them live in the sheltered scheme. We just take it for granted, it’s what we do.We do a lunch every other Friday.

“Just amazed. We think everybody just takes it for granted as we do.”

One of their recent good deeds, according to their nominator, revolved around a neighbour, well-known for sitting on a bench outside the complex, passed away.

When he passed away many of the residents were unable to attend his funeral. Phil and Chris raised the money to have a memorial plaque put on the bench in his memory and to host a party - bringing all of his friends and neighbours together to celebrate his life.

Pauline Kitchen and the Norwood Residents Group

PAULINE KITCHEN from Norwood Avenue Residents Group in Shipley has been nominated for her green-fingered work.

Pauline is the leading light of a diverse group of residents at the Norwood flats in Shipley who each year transform their communal garden into a blooming oasis.

The secluded garden includes fruit trees, new picnic bench seating, garden ornaments, bird boxes and a water feature. The flats have had their problems in the past with ASB but through everyone’s hard work this ‘colourful corner’ brings neighbours together and has lifted the whole area.

Pauline’s nominator said: “Pauline is truly inspiring and wants to spend everyday in the garden. She is always encouraging those around her to pick up a trowel and shovel. As well as creating a space for everyone to enjoy, maintaining the garden is good for the residents wellbeing and keeps everyone fit. It’s also birds and bees and other wildlife. This little corner of Shipley is a force for good and lifts everyone’s spirits. It is an absolute credit to the Norwood group.”

MARGARET WRIGHT has been on a litter-free mission along the River Aire for the past 13 years.

Margaret has collects litter and fastens bin bags to fences and posts along the path for people to use - protecting animals living in and around the water.

She also picks up other people’s rubbish along the path. Sometimes the bags are filled overnight.

Even though Margaret deals with mobility problems, she carries the filled bags to where they can be disposed of correctly. Margaret even has to split heavier bags to make the loads lighter or carry them part way and return later when feeling strong enough.

The nominator said: “Margaret finds it hard to maintain the work through her mobility issues but is determined to continue until someone else is willing to take over. Margaret is an inspirational character and has long been doing by herself the work that the Litter Free and Plastic Free groups have now realised is vital. She seeks no praise, yet deserves plenty.

“Margaret has led the way clearing litter and plastics in her area. This has improved the area visually for people and prevented the items entering the river system or the ocean.”

Vote for your Community Star here

Voting deadline: Thursday, November 28

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