A football-loving gardener was top of the crops last week as six of Petersfield’s great and good were honoured by the town’s outgoing mayor.

Applause reverberated around the Festival Hall as Cllr Chris Paige handed out Mayor’s Awards to half a dozen deserving recipients.

The ceremony was part of the Annual Meeting of the Town which included presentations from councillors, South Downs National Park chiefs and charities.

Sion McGeever SDNPA Petersfield Festival Hall
Sion McGeever, Chief Executive of the South Downs National Park Authority, also gave a presentation. (Petersfield Town Council/Kathryn Ellis)
Chris Paige Petersfield Mayor's Awards
Petersfield mayor, Cllr Chris Paige, handed out the awards in front of a good-size crowd in Festival Hall. (Tindle/Paul Ferguson)

Good causes were well represented with Jen King of Free Shop Petersfield and Steve Field of Agencies Working Together and the Petersfield Salvation Army Band both receiving awards for services to the people of Petersfield.

And Petersfield Town FC had a result off the pitch as fundraising supporter John Wade-Palmer, head gardener at the Physic Garden, also got the nod along with Jordan Beech from Friends of the Heath.

One of the biggest cheers of the night went to Jenny Cumming as the HomeStart Butser volunteer was recognised for more than 23 years of service to the Winton House charity which supports struggling families.

Petersfield Mayor's Award John Wade-Palmer
Physic Garden head gardener and Petersfield Town FC's fundraising supporter, John Wade-Palmer, has reaped the rewards for his hard work. (Petersfield Town Council/Kathryn Ellis)
Petersfield Town Awards Jenny King
Petersfield Free Shop volunteer Jenny King is all smiles after receiving her award from Cllr Chris Paige. (Petersfield Town Council/Kathryn Ellis)

“She has often been described by people she has supported as a lifeline, a godsend, and we’re extremely lucky to have her in our life,” said Cllr Paige.

Cllr Paige, who also handed awards to tireless Winton House volunteer, Jenny Tickner, said he and fellow organisers “overwhelmed” after asking the public to put forward nominations.

Petersfield Annual Meeting Town Festival Hall
The ceremony was switched from the Rose Room to Festival Hall to accommodate a bigger crowd. (Petersfield Town Council/Kathryn Ellis)

He said: “We had a hell of a lot of nominations, more than I thought we would, it was very difficult to narrow it down to a shortlist.

“I want to thank anyone who put in a nomination. There were simply too many to be able to award to everyone.”

Cllr Paige also used his speech to pay tribute to town councillor and charity supremo, Martin Holmes, who recently died after a brave battle against cancer.