A COUPLE who acted as a lifeline for their community during the challenging months of this year have been recognised by their village.
Will and Jo Fathers run Polperro News. Through the lockdown, says chair of the Polperro Promotion Group Ian Elliott, “Jo kept the shop open every day single-handedly, while Will charged round the local area in their little van delivering groceries, fuel, prescriptions and other basic life-support provisions.”
Now the couple have been presented with the Barbara Dodson Award, a trophy given each year by one of PPG’s directors Richard Dodson in memory of his late wife Barbara.
“It is a recognition of ‘above and beyond’ community service,” said Ian.
“The winners receive a magnificent trophy and a cash prize of £250. Nominations were welcomed from across the Polperro community: previous winners have been recognised for a variety of community contributions ranging from the organisation of one-off events through to sustained (and often unseen) acts of community support over many years.”
Perhaps the most important thing provided by Will and Jo this year, said Ian, were the friendly conversations to customers and those they helped.
“They both provided a smile and a chat for the many isolated, old or lonely in our village and the surrounding area and thus were a critical lifeline for many in these very challenging times.”
An extra surprise for Will and Jo came by video, as the actor Kris Marshall, of Love Actually and Death in Paradise fame, had recorded a special message to let them know they had won the award.
Kris, who used to own a holiday house directly opposite Polperro News, said: “Congratulations to Will and Jo on receiving the Barbara Dodson Award, for your ongoing and continuing work in the community of Polperro. It’s utterly brilliantly deserved.”