The Leslie D Gale Award was instituted in 1994, as a tribute to the late Mr Gale, who was the last Chairman of Dursley Parish Council and the first Mayor of Dursley, and who served the community in so many ways. The Leslie D Gale Award not only recognises longevity of service to the community but also impact.

Dursley Town Council is very aware that young people also contribute to the community, and that their work should be recognised. Nominations do not have to be for individuals; in past years groups have also been successfully nominated.

The 30th anniversary recipients of the 2024 awards were announced at the Annual Assembly on the 23rd April 2024.

Anne Roberts

Nominated by local resident and former Cam Parish Chair, Christine Carter.

Anne Roberts is Path Warden for the Cam, Dursley and Uley Joint Woodlands Management Committee.

Anne really goes above and beyond in her role by walking the paths of the areas the Committee looks after on behalf of the parishes of Cam, Dursley and Uley. She will identify, issues, such as fallen trees in the woods, broken gates and fences on Cam Peak in the kind of detail that allows the Committee to address them quickly.

Her input is invaluable when it comes to improving paths for the benefit of local residents and visitors to the area. She not only liaises with the Committee's Land Manager but also with other stewards of the land like the Cotswold Wardens.

The last couple of years from April through to October has seen Anne lead work parties in Dursley Woods to address a spread of Himalayan Balsam there. It's a problematic invasive plant because it spreads fast, competing with native plants for light, nutrients, pollinators and space, excluding those plants and reducing biodiversity. This work has been very important to the conservation of this ecologically sensitive ancient woodland.

It's in Anne's nature to be helpful and I was really impressed with how Anne stepped into the breach at last year's walking festival, a significant event for Dursley, by not only leading her own walks but also at least one for someone who went down with covid - walking 84 miles over the week in total!

Penny Hyde

Nominated by the Town Clerk & Deputy Clerk

Penny has been a member of Dursley In Bloom since 2013 and has been the driving force of the group since becoming Chair in 2017. Each year the town centre looks and feels much brighter by the floral display of 40+ hanging baskets and the many planters.

For many years the group entered the annual Britain in Bloom competition and have won a number of gold and silver-gilt certificates. The highlight for the Dursley In Bloom team was in 2017 when the Dursley was the winner of the Best Small-Town category.

The small band of volunteers, marshalled by Penny, meet regularly to discuss plans for the future floral displays in the town and put a huge effort into many of the areas of the town that need some TLC. The team encourages local businesses and organisations to become involved in a series of ideas to brighten up our town and are always looking for new volunteers.

Penny has many other interests including helping in the gardens at the National Trust's Newark Park, she is a member of a book club, attends St George's Church and likes to spend as much time as she can with her family which included regular trips to Madrid.

Maria Paoletti.

Nominated by Cllr Tyler White

Maria is probably best known for being the proprietor of the Arpers shop in the town centre but she helps the community in so many ways. She is always willing to offer help and support to all things happening in Dursley. She buys things off her own back to support local events such as: Festive Dursley and Pride. She discounts items for local organisations when she is a small independent business who needs to earn a living herself. You try and give her the right amount of money but she won't take it. Or she will put the money in her many charity pots that she has on her counter.

Maria is also so community spirited. She is willing to go above and beyond for her customers. She will offer to help anyone. Cllr White describes her as "a pillar of the community. She's in the heart of the town and has a huge heart, wanting to help everyone".