Two recipients received awards in 2011
Lesley Allon (left)
For the past twenty four years, Lesley has been the ‘driving force’ behind Horwich St Mary’s Football Club. She has seen the Club grow from half a dozen teams to now supporting over five hundred youngsters playing in thirty one teams, with weekly football all year round. She has strived to see the introduction of teams for children as young as seven years, and always promotes the club’s ethos of fair play and equality of opportunity – football for all.
In her first year with the Club she received the Trophy of Excellence, and since then she has worked hard to inspire coaches, managers and committee members to volunteer their time year after year. St Mary’s success in gaining the F.A. Charter Standard is, to a great extent, due to Lesley’s efforts.
Lesley is Secretary to the Bolton Bury and District Junior Football League and is a Council Member for the Lancashire F.A with responsibilities for Youth Leagues in Lancashire.
The ‘Spirit of Sport’ also acknowledges Lesley’s great contribution to youth football. Horwich Town Council has been delighted to do the same.
Shirley Holt (right)
In the giving of this award, Horwich Town Council was pleased to acknowledge Shirley’s great contribution to the education, fitness and well being of children as well as the many other ways she has served her community over many years.
Shirley taught children to swim at Horwich Swimming Club for about twenty years, and continues to be a voluntary teacher at both Lord Street and Chorley New Road Primary Schools.
She was a Sunday School teacher at Holy Trinity Parish Church for over twenty years and also served for many years on its Parish Church Council. Shirley is the secretary/treasurer of the Children’s Society Branch at the Church and has provided valuable service as a School Governor at five primary schools, serving as Chair on four of them.
Various charities have also benefited from her efforts. She was a volunteer at the Oxfam shop and served as its treasurer. Shirley was also a magistrate and is a very active member of Horwich Inner Wheel helping to organise fund raising events for local, national and overseas charities, as well as helping the elderly.
