Certificate of Merit Award 2025
The nominee must live or be involved in groups within the Ripley Township.
No sitting Councillor may nominate or be nominated.
Deadline for applications: 8th September 2025.
The winner will be notified at the end of September 2025.
They will receive their award at the Mayor's Civic Service on Sunday 16th November 2025.
Or request a form by calling 01773 513456 or emailing townclerk@ripleytowncouncil.gov.uk
Below are previous Certificate of Merit Award winners
2018 Jean Fardoe
Mrs. Fardoe was nominated for the award by her sister for her dedication and commitment over the past 30 years to charitable work and volunteering in her local community. Since 1986, Mrs. Fardoe has organised annual garden parties at her home in Heage for her family, friends and the local community, to raise money for Action Medical Research. Over the years she has raised over £133,000 for the charity.
2019 Alan Carter
Ripley resident, Alan Carter won the Ripley Town Council 2019 Certificate of Merit Award for his long service, support, and contribution to Neighbourhood Watch – North Division Derbyshire.
Alan began volunteering with Neighbourhood Watch back in 1989. Cate Wain, who nominated Alan for the award said, ‘Alan has a sense of great pride in living in Ripley and that pride is infectious. He is truly inspirational and now holds the position of Chair of North Division Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch’.
2020 Mary Foster
Mary has dedicated several years to volunteering with The Friends of Ripley Greenway (FoRG) group, where she organises events and fundraising activities.
FoRG does a wonderful job of upkeeping Ripley Greenway which runs for two miles from Marehay to Butterley Hill in Ripley. They plant bulbs, maintain paths, hold regular litter picks and generally work hard to ensure it is a lovely green space for our community to enjoy.
2021 Martine Roebuck
Martine is part of the leadership team with Ripley Rogue Runners, a fun, sociable running group based in our town who welcome runners of all abilities and provide a supportive environment for all. They are especially seeking to improve the physical and mental health outlooks for people in the Ripley area.
Martine’s nominee said, ‘Martine is a fabulously caring person. She has overcome a number of physical and mental challenges in her life, but always makes time for others. She is an excellent motivator and frequently shows her empathetic side in supporting lots of different people. She has a passion for improving everyone's mental health and is the club's mental health ambassador, a role which advises on a wide range of issues.
2022 Cheryl Roulston
Nether Heage resident, Cheryl was nominated by her friend and fellow volunteer Michelle, for all the dedication she gives by volunteering in her local community of Nether Heage.
Michelle wrote:
‘I would like to nominate Cheryl for her tireless work and enthusiasm in our community. Her passion for all our villagers is exemplary. Organising events and the preparation of these, as well as working hard on the day, keeping our village funds in order and applying for local grants that benefit our community, running the community and neighbourhood watch Facebook page (even when she’s not in the country and on holiday!), putting herself out for others like shopping for elderly neighbours over the Covid lockdowns.
2023 Kurt Elliott
Heage resident, Kurt Elliott was given this award for his time fundraising and volunteering for local charity, Lauren’s Legacy. All the money raised goes towards supporting teenagers and young adults going through cancer treatments by granting them wishes. More information can be found on their website www.laurenslegacy.co.uk
The charity is named after and in memory of Kurt's daughter, Lauren who sadly died of Sarcoma in June 2019. To date, they have raised over £500,000 to help other people with cancer. They do this by organising local events, one being the annual The Old Goats Grumble 2024 music and beer festival at Street Lane, Ripley.
2024 Linsey Booth
Lynsey Booth from Waingroves was nominated last year by a fellow resident, due to her tireless commitment to the local community.
She is currently the Secretary of the Waingroves Show, organises the Waingroves Pantomime, volunteers at the Waingroves and Friends singing group, and organises various charity events throughout the year which would not be possible without her help or guidance.
Her nomination said, “Lynsey never fails to volunteer whenever an opportunity comes up in the village and always gives 100% attention and dedication in her efforts. She is a pillar of the community and without her, Waingroves wouldn’t be the social and family friendly community that it is today.”