Background

Odiham Parish Council works in partnership with a number of community organisations to present  The Bi-annual Community Awards in recognition of outstanding service to the community. Any resident of the civic parish may be eligible for an award and must be nominated by at least one resident who is not a family member.

The OPC Community Awards are an opportunity for our community to show appreciation to those who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to make a positive difference, to help those in need and tirelessly volunteer their time to support others. 

2026 Winners Over 18’s

Mary Bennett

For undertaking historical research and supporting the development of the Odiham Society’s official archive for over 30 years and a leader in establishing a database containing details of over 33,000 individuals from parish records from the 15th to the early 20th centuries. Mary regularly attends at the Parish Room to meet visitors, and she regularly spends 2-3 days a week on research online and in assorted record offices for exhibitions on Odiham’s history. Mary has supported the history of RAF Odiham exhibition and works with Robert Mays School, whose librarian says “she is so enthusiastic about our local history and never fails to inspire me and the students”. Mary’s lasting contribution will be a unique and well organised collection of documents, records, photographs and materials which provides a permanent record of the history and development of Odiham and North Warnborough villages and their inhabitants.

Helen Chatfield

Helen is the quiet heart of Robert May’s. Whether she is running her mentoring groups or simply offering a safe space in the library, she has a gift for reaching young people who feel overwhelmed by the world. She stepped up as a leader in the school’s time of greatest need and guided it through the impossible task of communicating grief to families and ensured no child or member of staff felt alone. Her energy is boundless; while supporting our local students, she also serves as a bridge for our Ukrainian families, having driven a food truck to Ukraine last year. Helen’s voluntary efforts have provided a sense of stability and hope during some really challenging times. Her impact can be seen across three distinct areas.

 

Ian Green

Ian has taken on a range of voluntary leadership roles in key organisations that benefit many hundreds of residents across the Parish in a wide range of ways – Citizens Advice trustee, chairman of Odiham and District U3A, chairman of Odiham Cross Barn, and a longstanding member of Odiham Rotary Club. His warm and engaging manner is a key reason he has been so successful in recruiting fellow trustees and raising funds to support the range of organisations he has become involved with. The long voluntary service he has offered to the community over the decades makes him a worthy and deserving recipient.

 

Jon Hale

For his dedication to the community, as local councillor, Governor of Mayhill School, and chair of the InOdiham committee. He works hard to include the RAF base whether that’s through Bands in the Bury on Armed Forces Day or inviting RAF Odiham to judge the Christmas windows or working with the base to get last year’s Box Car Race organised, as well as taking the lead in organising events to celebrate Odiham 100. Last year InOdiham won the Kings Award for Voluntary Services and despite Jon being instrumental in this prestigious award he chose to step back and give other members of the committee the opportunity to go to the Palace.

Youth Award

Daniel  Holmes á Court for his extraordinary commitment to preserving local heritage and for his profound service to our community during times of both celebration and sorrow. Daniel is a dedicated bell ringer at All Saints local church, standing out as the youngest member of the tower team.  Daniel has also stepped forward and led. Daniel formed a committee and drew out a prototype for the Odiham Box cart race. Daniel enlisted help from various experts within the ringing world and built a cart in his garage from an old pram chassis and painted it in the Odiham team colours.  Daniel’s nomination praised Daniel’s ability to draw out people’s strengths and expertise and get everyone working as a team.

Past Awards:

In 2024 Community Awards were presented at the Annual Parish Assembly and were awarded to:

Kathryn Ball

for supporting every community event and project going – from selling tickets for events to providing refreshments for volunteers. Kathryn also works tirelessly to raise funds for cancer research and support charities Kathryn has also served as a Parish Councillor for more than one term whilst running two businesses at the heart of the High St. She has also served as a Trustee of Odiham Consolidated Charities.

Helen Fleming

Helen is a key member of the Odiham Society with extensive knowledge of the Parish which she puts to good use. She was active in the development of the Neighbourhood Plan and has continued to contribute to the monitoring of its application and the recent review. There would not be the Odiham Book Exchange without Helen’s contribution and its formation and ensuring role as a director of the CIC. She also served as a Parish Councillor for some 12 years.

Tom Janaway

for carrying out works when members of the community post their concerns. He has recently cut back branches and cleared roads of trees that have fallen in the storms. He has never turned down a request of help and is not part of any group.

Jonny Bass 

Youth award- Jonny has worked tirelessly for his local community. He gets involved in every activity that enables him to give back to the community. Some of the things he got involved in included the Jubilee Tea Dance, where we invite elder members of the community into school to celebrate events that are happening nationally. He gave up his time to make tea and sandwiches as well as play guitar and sing as part of the afternoon activities. He also raises money for local charities this year raising £300 by organising an Easter egg hunt for pupils at Robert May’s School.