Those in Bridport who stepped up and played a significant role in supporting the community during the coronavirus pandemic have been praised for their work.

Dorset High Sheriff, George Streatfeild, took the opportunity during Bridport's Christmas Cheer-Up market to recognise them and present them with prestigious High Sheriff Awards.

Alex and Carl Lewis, Bridport Coronavirus Community Support

Alex and Carl had no organisational links but stepped up to recruit and manage Bridport's 'volunteer army'. They launched the Bridport Coronavirus Community Support Facebook page with the aim if helping vulnerable people in the community.

They were spurred into action by the news that people over 70 would have to self-isolate for up to four months and appreciated that many people do not have a network of people to support them.

They quickly realised that speed was of the essence and that they needed to find out who needed help and who could offer help and get those community links in place for when needed.

Dorset High Sheriff, George Streatfeild, said: "Without Alex and Carl masterminding the whole operation, things could have turned out very differently.

"I am therefore hugely delighted to present Alex and Carl Lewis with a High Sheriff's Award for their selfless dedicated commitment to the community during the lockdown period."

Sophie Mears meals to the vulnerable

Sophie made around 4,500 meals for vulnerable people between March and June. Her free food parcels were delivered to those who could not leave their homes during the first lockdown period.

She started modestly with soups, but when a family of six asked for help she made them a big lasagne and things grew from there.

Her ready supply of batch cooking of soups, stews, chilli con carne, lamb hotpot and cottage pie was made possible through the donations of the ingredients including locally grown vegetables.

Organisations and firms volunteered to do deliveries for her, including the Soup Kitchen, Bridport Community Fridge, Jurassic Reclamation, Boilerman and a self-employed worker.

Due to illness, Sophie was unable to attend and accept the award.

Mr Streatfeild said: "I am delighted to present Sophie with my High Sheriff Award and also show my appreciation to the support she was given at home by her partner and kids as well as the donators of ingredients and the army of volunteers who delivered the meals when ready."

Another award went to the Bridport Community Support Network

The Dorset High Sheriff said: "I have identified three individuals who were just amazing during the lockdown, but when we consider just what was achieved in that period, it was a truly fantastic community effort.

"I can do no better than to quote the Lewises, 'when we set up the Facebook pages the response was huge; it just exploded. It just goes to show, in the face of the horrible situation that we were heading into, the sheer number of people who wanted to help'.

"In total there were around 170 volunteers delivering, visiting, walking dogs, sorting electric or just providing comfort to the lonely.

"Help came from all over the town; furloughed volunteers, existing community groups, such as the Chapel in the Garden, businesses of all sorts - not just food business - and of course the Bridport Town Council, and particularly town clerk Will Austin and town surveyor Daryl Chambers. Everyone turned their hands to community support during the lockdown.

"I am therefore absolutely delighted to ask the Bridport mayor, Cllr Ian Bark, to receive my High Sheriff's Community Award on behalf of all those from the community of Bridport and its environs that made up the Bridport Community Support Network."

There was also a competition for the best dressed stall and best dressed Christmas shop window.

Washingpool Farm picked up first place for the best dressed stall, with Animal House being awarded the top spot for best dressed shop window, followed by ink & page in second and Mencap and Naturalife in joint third.

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