AN eight-year-old litter-picker was the youngest recipient of a Truro Civic Award on Friday evening.
Roman Paul Caruana-Williams was one of 17 people to be recognised for good deeds around the city, at a packed ceremony at Truro Methodist Church.
The event was organised by Truro Civic Society and compered by Bert Biscoe, who said: “All the people here tonight have contributed to life in Truro and the wellbeing of the people who live here.”
Roman can be found regularly in Tremorvah Playing Field and Trevithick Road. “One might call him the Litter King of Tremorvah,” said Mr Biscoe as he announced the award.
Roman is also the youngest member of the Sunny Corner Volunteers, and attends general litter-picks around Trafalgar Roundabout and Tregolls Road.
After receiving his award, he said: “I feel very excited. On my last litter-pick in Tremorvah, I found 19 glass bottles and filled two bags with litter, including one for recycling.
“I do it because it helps with the environment. If I could speak to the people who drop litter, I would say: ‘Go and put it in the bin.’”
Roman’s mother, Vicky Caruana, said: “I’m immensely proud. He’s a kind, caring boy who loves the city and wants to do good for the Truro countryside.
“It’s encouraging for him to get an award at such a young age. He wants the certificate to have pride of place in his bedroom, but I might put it in the living room for everyone to see.”
Fellow winners included Arthur Fitzgerald, 92, rewarded for his role as “head gardener” of Sunny Corner. “You’d think Arthur would have hung up his secateurs by now – not a bit of it,” said Mr Biscoe.
The awards were presented by Truro Civic Society chairman Malcolm Bell and city mayor Cllr Carol Swain. “Truro is a special place, where we are very lucky to have so many dedicated volunteers,” said Cllr Swain.
“I was humbled to meet so many local heroes, each of whom sees something that can be done to make the city better, and just quietly gets on with doing it.” Truro’s volunteers accepted certificates with humility at the Truro Civic Awards ceremony – the first since the pandemic - at Truro Methodist Church on Friday night.
Town crier Lionel Knight and his wife Carol were described by compere Bert Biscoe as “a kind, generous couple”, adding: “Every time you hear the Town Clock chime, think of Lionel, who put his own long-saved cash on the table to fix it.”
Accepting the award, Lionel said: “I’m a proud Truronian, born and bred and educated at Truro Tech. I’m very proud indeed of the city – that’s why I contribute. What I put into Truro, I do because I want it to survive.”
Helen Tiplady, deputy creative director of the Hall For Cornwall, was rewarded for her work with youngsters on the Malabar estate.
“I’m really chuffed to be rewarded for doing something I care about doing,” she said. “I’m trying to support young people and give them access to arts and culture, especially those who think it’s ‘not for them’.”
Andrew Hall said he was “flabbergasted” at being nominated for an award by Cllr Rob Nolan for his work on the social life of the Penn an Dre estate in Highertown.
“I don’t do it for personal recognition – it’s mostly for the sake of treating your fellow neighbours as you’d like to be treated yourself,” he said.
Godfrey and Peggy Mortimore were rewarded for “making Truro beautifully, bloomingly successful by looking after many beautiful nooks and corners”.
“I’ve left my mark in St Mary’s Street and Pydar Street,” said Godfrey. “I always wanted to do things with my hands and create. I shall carry on doing my best for years to come.”
Graham Humphreys and a few Truro Old Boys accepted the award on behalf of the group, which now numbers over 200 and has raised more than £25,000 for good causes over the past five years.
“We live wherever we live, but our hearts remain in the city,” said Graham. “We meet twice a year at the White Hart, and hope to reach £50,000 over the next few years.”
Further winners included a team of seven Police Special Constables, who have put in 2,430 hours of voluntary service to Truro in 335 operational duties over the past year - an average of 30 hours a month.
“They have to train, be as good as a regular constable, do their own paperwork and get on with the day-job – and all they care about is Truro, about her people and about making everybody feel safe,” said Mr Biscoe. “This award is a token of the community’s gratitude.”
The 35-strong group of volunteers of Truro Homelesss Action Group (THAG), was praised for rustling up daily breakfasts for rough sleepers at St John’s Hall.
Further winners included two members of the Royal British Legion Truro branch: Alan Beattie, who organises the veterans’ breakfast club, and Poppy Appeal mastermind Anne Kemp, who revealed that Truronians have donated £56,984 to the cause since October 2023.
Kelly Palmer was recognised for her volunteer work with Truro City Council’s Warm Welcome initiative, while Rosemary Ballard was praised for her efforts with the Friends of Redannick House, arranging monthly activities for the elderly residents of the Cornwall Care home.
Harry Stoddern, 18, received an award for his litter-picking efforts in the Hendra area, while Pauline Westaway was hailed for her pre-pandemic work on Truro Day and current input with the Friends of Sunny Corner.
John Rowe, whose fairy houses delight families visiting Coosebean Woods, was presented with a certificate, and Lesley Goodman – who was unable to attend – was commended for her work in Malabar.
Truro Civic Society chairman Malcolm Bell said: “I was brought up in Malabar and Hendra, using Coosebean as a play area. My parents courted at Sunny Corner.
“I’m proud to be a Truro boy, and I’m incredibly proud of you guys. Truro is a great place, and you make it that way.”
The event was organised by Paul Caruana on behalf of Truro Civic Society in association with Truro City Council. “It was a joyful, inspiring and very satisfying occasion,” he said.
Nominations for individuals and groups are invited for the 2025 awards at [email protected]