Press Release

14 May 2019

Citizens honoured for their hard work

Ten of the Borough's residents have been recognised as Citizens and Young Citizens of Honour for giving up their time and making a difference to the lives of others in the community.

Fareham's Citizen and Young Citizen of Honour 2019 winners were presented with their awards at the Mayor Making ceremony at Ferneham Hall (9 May).

Citizen of Honour winners (18+)

Laura Hamilton

For the past five years, Laura has run Sarisbury Junior School’s ‘Reading to Dogs’ scheme on a voluntary basis. Children who have read to Laura's two retrievers, Pilot and Lily, have grown in confidence as individuals and made great progress in their reading. Laura is an enthusiastic supporter of the school and has also recently donated a hedgehog house and bug hotel to enhance the nature trail at Sarisbury Junior School.

Jane Swanbrow

Jane has been the secretary and booking secretary for Sarisbury Green Parish Rooms for over 30 years. Over the same period, she has been secretary of Lockswood WI and as part of their committee helped to organise regular meetings and activities. She was also awarded Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship, one of the highest honours that a Rotary can give, for her fund-raising efforts for charities in Tanzania. Jane also shares a stall with her daughter each year at Sarisbury Fayre on the Green, selling her famous homemade cakes in aid of the charity Smile Train.

David Grout

David is the current Membership Secretary and Chief Instructor at Seafarers Sailing Club. He joined the club in 2000 and has been on the Committee continuously since 2003. Hugely generous with his time, David does anything and everything he can to support every aspect of the Club and in doing so, shares his love of sailing. He is always full of fun, energy and ideas, and his ability to put people at ease whether they are new or long standing members, whether they are experienced or under instruction is truly amazing.

Eric Nixon

After a very successful career in the Royal Air Force, Eric has devoted much of his time to helping others. He joined Fareham Lions Club in 1981, and has held many offices within the group, including Club President several times. He was also a school community governor between 1997 and 2009, serving many years as Chairman.

Since Eric's diagnosis with Alzheimers around nine years ago he has given talks at many groups about living with Alzheimers and explaining the challenges it presents.

James Hall

James has been one of the driving forces behind Wallington Village Community (WVCA) since the 1980’s. He was Chairman of the Wallington Village Community Association for three years, 1994-1997 inclusive. He regularly initiates fund-raising events, organises the Wallington Village luncheon club and co-ordinates the Village Neighbourhood Watch programme.

Robin Chawner

Sadly, one of our Citizen of Honour winners, Robin Chawner, passed away before he was able to receive his award.

Robin founded a local public speaking group, Solent Speakers, with affiliation to Toastmasters International, almost 16 years ago. Over this time, Robin helped well over 350 people to improve their confidence, fight anxiety and make progress in their careers.

He was also involved with the local Prince’s Trust, helping attendees to present their final projects. He continued to support the club as much as he was able throughout his battle with Parkinsons.

Robin's award will be presented privately to his family.

Young Citizen of Honour winners (under 18)

Fin Webster

In 2017, Fin's mum was diagnosed with MS. Although this has completely transformed their lives, Fin has managed it amazingly. He helps the family care for her, keeps a cool head on, still performs well at school and holds down his paper round six days a week. As well as this, the family recently fostered another family member, who Fin has welcomed into the home, the family and his life, even sacrificing his room and personal space to accommodate her.

Lewis Heaysman

Lewis has serious hearing problems, wearing two hearing aids at all times. Despite this profound disability Lewis has refused to allow it to stop him from doing what he wants to do. Lewis has had piano lessons and has become so competent that he recently won a piano competition in Birmingham. He has also learnt to tap dance and took on a speaking part in a professional pantomime of Peter Pan at the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth. He is a wonderful example to others like him who have a disability.

Seth and Evie Rowsell

In January 2016, Seth was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma, which was treated with several months of intensive chemotherapy. Since being in remission Seth and his sister, Evie, have undertaken several fundraising events to give back to the Piam Brown Ward and the various charities that helped them.

This includes, abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower, which raised over £10,000. Seth, Evie and their Dad also all shaved their hair, which they donated to The Little Princess Trust, and raised over £2,000.

The outgoing Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Susan Bayford presented the awards at the event, she said: “It was a privilege to meet these outstanding members of the community as my last duty as The Mayor of Fareham. I was incredibly moved when hearing their stories and I hope that they inspire others in the community.”

ENDS