Cornwall Civic Award goes to Kevin Godden

Cornwall Civic Award goes to Kevin Godden at County Hall on Wednesday 04 May.

In nominating Kevin I said, “Kevin has a constant ability to smile, make a joke and help with anything community-orientated, despite suffering from the debilitating and progressive Parkinson’s disease. He is described by many as ‘inspirational’.”

My fuller citation was:

When Kevin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s it ended his career as a primary school teacher but he embraced his newly found freedom, throwing himself into supporting the local community.

Until 2014, he had a leading role in the Lafrowda festival – organising the music performances, fundraising and being an entertaining and congenial host at many of its events.  His humour and love for music enabled him to develop DJ skills, making him ideal for a leading role in Penwith radio, a community radio station.

At the station he showcases local musical talent and helps want-to-be radio DJs get valuable experience.  Local people have been so inspired by Kevin that a group of 17 people, aged 15 to 62, decided to cycle from Paddington to Penzance to raise money and awareness for the Parkinson’s disease Trust, last May.  Kevin was key to the success, cycling the first leg to Parkinson’s UK HQ then leading the support team and they raised over £10,000.

Below is the Council press release for the whole event, including the names of all recipients.

Council Chairman presents Cornwall Civic Awards

The Chairman of Cornwall Council, Councillor Ann Kerridge presented Civic Awards to over 20 worthy recipients at a reception at County Hall on Wednesday 04 May.

The recipients came from all over Cornwall and had been nominated for their award by their local Cornwall Councillor.  Councillors were invited by the Chairman to put forward for an award those in their community who achieve great things or go above and beyond what is expected of them to make things happen.

The Award winners ranged from those who kept their local areas free of litter and weeds to those raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity and came from all across Cornwall from Looe to St Just.

Councillor Kerridge said “Cornwall has an extremely proud tradition of community endeavour, and as many of those who contribute in this way are so humble it is by occasions such as this that we can take the opportunity to recognise what they do for us and say ‘thank you’.

Those receiving awards this year are as follows and their individual citations are attached.

• Alan Percy from Cubert, nominated by Councillor Lisa Gorman
• Alastair Quinnell from Bodmin, nominated by Chairman Councillor Ann Kerridge
• Andrea Carne from Roche, nominated by Previous Chairman Councillor John Wood
• Brenda Pedley from Redruth, nominated by Councillor Lisa Dolley
• Jane Sloan from Grampound, nominated by Councillor Bob Egerton
• Gillian Butler from Par, nominated by Councillor Doug Scrafton
• Keith Dickson from Newlyn, nominated by Councillor Geoff Brown
• Kevin Godden from St Just, nominated by Councillor Sue James
• Paul Caruana from Truro, nominated by Councillors Loic Rich and Rob Nolan
• Rob Davies from Bodmin, nominated by Councillor Pat Rogerson
• Robert Greenwood-Penny from Goldsithney, nominated by Councillor Sue Nicholas
• Roger Reynolds from Penryn, nominated by Vice Chairman Councillor Mary May
• David Clarke from Penzance, nominated by Councillor Mario Fonk
• Julie Ball & Suzanne Pollard from St Neot, nominated by Councillor Derris Watson
• Johnny Austin from Porthleven, nominated by Councillor Bert Biscoe
• Brigitte Cox from Stokeclimsland, nominated by Councillor Neil Burden
• Dennis & Doreen Cardew from Liskeard, nominated by Councillor Stephanie McWilliam.