By Jeremy Edwards (originally published in May’s online version of Shepperton Matters)
Each year the Rotary Club of Shepperton & Sunbury makes awards to people and businesses to recognise those whom the Club feels have made that extra effort to make life better for the community as a whole, and not just for their business circle. Our choices were made before the lockdown.
There are two classes for these awards which are managed by the Club’s Youth and Vocational Services Committee. One is for businesses and the other is for community and charitable work.
This year the Committee are making two awards in the Business category to Shepperton Homecare and to Van Wonderen Flowers in Sunbury village. The Community Services award goes to Monica Chard for the ‘Village Matters’ series of magazines.
Shepperton Homecare is a gem, providing a service which is increasingly rare – hardware supplies and tools together with advice and contacts to local tradespeople. So much are Minesh Patel and manageress Natasha Thoroughgood part of the community that they were previously given this award in 1997!
Dennis Van Wonderen provides a colourful spot in The Avenue in Sunbury and has also been instrumental in the Lower Sunbury Business Community and developing the Christmas market. He spreads the name of Sunbury far and wide with his demonstrations at Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. Dennis is also guardian of the disabled driver badge for Sunbury Neighbours, needed for some of the fitter clients.
Monica Chard has been chosen for the work that she does through the monthly magazines, not just Shepperton and Sunbury, but also Walton and Molesey. These little books have kept everyone up to date with news of past and future events, Council debates and pages supplied by churches and societies.
These businesses are doing their best to carry on under lockdown. Shepperton Homecare is in a class that is allowed to carry on, although their shop is so restricted that nowhere can you find two metres of space! Tash will serve you from a table in the doorway. Dennis is offering a service of ‘virtual bouquets’ coupled with offers on future business. Unfortunately Monica has taken the decision to suspend print and distribution of her magazines in line with government restrictions, so the ‘Matters’ will only be available on line for the coming months. The Rotary Club hopes that all three will be able to pull through and continue their good work for many years to come.
Under normal circumstances these awards would have been presented at the end of March at the meeting of Shepperton & Sunbury Rotary Club at the Shepperton Holiday Inn. We hope to arrange a suitable event to recognise these excellent supporters of our community.