Citizen of the Year 2021

Twyford Parish Council are pleased to announce the 2021 Twyford Citizen of the Year as Gerry Wise.

Photo shows (left to right):
Cllr Bridget Ditcham, Gerry Wise, Chris Wise, Cllr Roy Mantel

At the full Council meeting on 22nd February 2022 Gerry was presented with a plaque and gift. He had been nominated by Councillors in recognition of being an outstanding Twyford citizen. He joins previous recipients of the Twyford Parish Council Citizen of the Year award as follows:

2014 – John March
2015 – Peter Kelly
2016 – Tom Toy
2017 – Jenny Hay
2018 – Kathy Peck
2019 – Peter Tate
2020 – Sam Bramwell

Gerry, an active and long-standing resident of Twyford took over the organisation of Twyford’s Adopt-A-Street along with the help of his wife Christine when Sue Goddard left the area in early 2016. Since then, the Adopt-A-Street team under Gerry and Chris’ leadership have been fundamental in keeping Twyford as litter free as possible.

The scheme has always been based on adopting your own street or close group of streets. It is run on a co-ordination basis, with members registered for specific areas of the village. The aim being to cover the entire Parish with designated volunteers linked to their home area, together with keeping in touch by e-mail and providing council litter picking equipment and keeping track of its distribution to members. Gerry also set up a specific e-mail address to assist with communication throughout the group.

In addition, and as well as being a keen allotmenteer, Gerry is an active member of the Twyford in Bloom team and helps to ensure that the village is looking its best come the day of the judging.

Chairman to Twyford Parish Council, Roy Mantel, said “We were pleased to be able to award the title of Citizen of the Year to Gerry and councillors gave spontaneous applause to the couple to show their gratitude.”

Cllr Bridget Ditcham, Chairman to Twyford in Bloom and the Planning and Amenities committee, said “Mr Gerry Wise goes out of his way to make Twyford a better place and we are very grateful for the many hours he spends co-ordinating the Twyford Adopt a Street. He communicates regularly with his enthusiastic group of volunteers endeavouring to ensure that he is supplying them with the necessary equipment, alerting them to the Annual Spring Clean and suggesting areas in need of extra attention. He is always ready to help in making Twyford look tidy for the ‘Thames and Chiltern in Bloom’ judging. He and his wife Chris can frequently be seen weeding pavements in the centre of the village in addition to litter picking. We are incredibly pleased to present this award to Gerry.”
Congratulations Gerry an excellent example to all!

Mr Gerry Wise said “I am honoured to receive this Citizen of the Year Award and be named among the previous notable Twyford residents. I believe, improving the environment, litter picking, and promoting local history all contribute to the community and village life.”

If you are interested in joining Gerry’s Adopt a street volunteers he is looking for help with the following areas:

Pennfields (West) / Crest Close / St Michaels Court
Pennfields (East) / Middlefields
Yewhurst Close
Polehampton Close / Chapel Row via St Swithins Court Woodpecker Close / Kingfisher Ct /Swans Court / Mallard Close Broad Hinton (middle) / Green areas of Waltham Chase Orchard Estate

Gerry can be contacted by email at: [email protected]