Ladies’ Group are credit to church

Those behind the Drop In Ladies’ Group at St John’s Church in Spalding are this week’s Nominee of the Week for the Pride of South Holland Awards.

The annual event, which will now be held later on in the year, recognises those that do amazing things for our community.

Hilary Moriaty and Betty Lenni, who run the group, have been nominated for the Volunteers of the Year category that’s sponsored by Coun Manzur Hasan and Matthew Clark.

They run the group every Tuesday morning in the Church Hall, 8.45-11.30am.

The person who nominated the pair said: “Although they say the Ladies’ Group, they also have gentlemen turn up with their wives, who are made to feel so welcome and they end up joining in any activities going on.

“They all sit around, enjoying their coffee and everyone will be making something different, doing knitting, sewing, crochet or other craft work, whilst the men are looking to see what they can do to help.

“Hilary and Betty have never looked back. They are so active and always in meetings looking for new ideas to take back to the rest of the group, encouraging them all to work together.

“The group were asked to get involved with the Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Sunday event.

“They all worked hard and made a couple of hundred poppies, they attached them to a canvas and then covered a Jeep for when the veterans marched to the monument.

“So much work went into the design and it was amazing how many ladies came forward once the ladies cajoled each other to take part in this project.

“They were all so proud but not as proud as Maggie Cole who is always there with ideas and energy which build on the team.

“They all always have a smile for everyone and are so keen to keep this group together and all try very hard to encourage more people to come along.

“Some of the group are part of St John’s hospitality group and without them the church would not be able to function as they do.

“This group of ladies go out of their way to involve everyone and work nonstop with their new priest, Bishop Rob Gillion. The Bishop commented on how much work the group of ladies do and was amazed at how much they raise for the church.

“Maggie also now knits ‘Angels’ for when the babies get christened, they all go home with one, they make ‘fidget blankets’ for the vulnerable in care homes, organise game afternoons to keep the elderly occupied, and nothing is too much trouble, they are, indeed a great, amazing group.”

The categories for the Pride of South Holland Awards:

Caring Neighbour – Coun Glynis Scalese & Coun Jack Tyrrell; Service with a Smile – Coun Paul Redgate; Young Achiever – Molsom Optometrists; Senior Citizen – Calthrops; Charity Worker – Hughes; Community Hero –Charmed Interiors and Bookmark; Volunteer of the year – Coun Manzur Hassan and Matthew Clark; Special Achievement – Springfields; Community Sports Group – Coun Harry Drury; Bakkavor – Local Charity Champion Award; Before and After School Social Activities – Coun Elizabeth Sneath.

For more information on the event please call 07779 895388 or email jan@tulip-radio.co.uk with your nomination.
Nomination forms can be dowloaded from www.spaldingvoice.co.uk