COMMUNITY heroes have been celebrated in an annual award which celebrates outstanding contributions to Mistley village.

Every year the chairman of Mistley Parish Council personally selects a parishioner in the village to be given the Chairman’s Award.

This year provided a bumper double award, due to a presentation not being possible in 2020, due to the pandemic.

The chairman, Charlotte Howell, chose Sharon Robinson as the recipient of the award for this year.

She said: “At the start of the pandemic, Sharon set up a Covid-19 crisis support group with the support of Mistley and Lawford Parish Councils, Manningtree Council, councillors from Tendring District and Sir Bernard Jenkin.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Jenny Chaplin (left) and Charlotte Howell (right) awarded Sharon Robinson for her effortsJenny Chaplin (left) and Charlotte Howell (right) awarded Sharon Robinson for her efforts

“Assisted by a team of volunteers, Sharon provided 24-hour assistance to the community throughout the lockdowns, offering practical support, as well as a listening ear, for those in need.

“For those who were self-isolating or shielding and unable to leave home, the group’s volunteers fetched prescriptions and groceries and delivered food parcels for those in need.

“They also ensured those shielding were on the appropriate registers and procured slots for priority shopping deliveries with supermarkets.”

For 2021, community stalwart Frances McMillan was chosen for the award. Mrs McMillan has been the postmistress of Mistley Post Office, in High Street, since 1991.

“Not only has Frances opened the shop seven days a week, 52 weeks a year,” Ms Howell added, “but she has also provided a daily newspaper service to the village, leading to very early starts in all seasons and weathers.

“Frances will retire at the end of May and sadly the Post Office and shop will close. It is hard to imagine the high street without her and Mistley will miss her and the Post Office enormously.”