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 recipients of the 2023 awards were announced at the Annual Assembly on the 25th April 2023.

Dursley TAB Community Food Hub (Heidi Horn)
Nominated by Cllr Darren Horn

Heidi is responsible for setting up and running the Community food hub as well as setting up the Tab Café which takes place on Wednesdays in The Tabernacle Church.

Food hub started during the first lockdown with an idea from Heidi to collect surplus food from local supermarkets and deliver it to people who couldn't get out due to shielding, or couldn't afford it, because they had no money during covid.

The food would (in the beginning) be sorted on the Horns' dining table with the help of few friends, who would use their cars to deliver/collect the food. As more food was donated and more people admitted they needed help, Heidi decided to move it to the Tab, where the donations and volunteers continued to grow.

There are now in excess of 25 regular volunteers. Heidi initially, voluntarily organised the food pick up, sorting, drop offs, administration, advertising, volunteers and enquiries from people who need help, all in her own time in the evenings, and weekends. But, since it has grown so much, she now has help organising it from other local volunteers.

Since the idea was first acted on, Heidi and the Team have sent out over 2000 bags of food and over 300 small gifts, she has also arranged and sent donations to local schools for their breakfast club.
There are over 70 people on the families list that the food gets sent to.
The benefit to the local community has been immeasurable. It has created good will, highlighted the need for compassion and empathy towards people in the community. Given people the chance to volunteer and give back to their local community.

Phil Durcan
Nominated by the Mayor (Cllr Symon Ackroyd) and his son Paul.

Phil has lived in Dursley since moving with his mother and father in 1951 and since 1957 his family have owned a hardware shop in the town with the current shop in Parsonage Street being occupied since 1977. Phil began working in the shop at 16 years old, becoming a partner in 1965 prior to the period he describes as the "hayday" of the 1970's and 80's.
"Durcans" as it is known locally remains a family run business with son Paul now a partner.

Phil is a keen fan of amateur dramatics, joining the Priory Players which later amalgamated with the Woodfield Operatic Society becoming "the DODS". In 1980 Phil joined the Dursley Male Voice Choir and has remained a member for 43 years, signing across the world and the UK, most notably in the Royal Albert Hall. Following retirement in 2019 and the recent sad loss of his wife, Pam; Phil has joined several local groups including Probus, Can & Dursley Society, Wings & Wheels and the Friday lunch where he enjoys the good company.

Pam England.
Nominated by Caroline Marrow

Pam (and her husband Doug) have been long time supporters of everything Dursley. They ran their optician's business from the early 60's in the town and were members of Dursley Inner Wheel and Dursley Rotary. Since then they have organised and supported many many community events and fundraising within the town, probably close to 60 years of support with a small break when they went to run the optical service in Nassau, Bahamas for about five years.

Pam has ensured that Inner wheel have supported Dursley Gala, when it was called this through to the version nowadays of the town festival. She engendered enthusiasm for walking floats, and fund raising stalls on the day. Also with other inner wheel members has masterminded teas for the elderly and disadvantaged hosted at the home of Max Workman (now Yercombe Lodge) and more recently helping to provide cream teas in aid of sight savers at various garden venues, often this would be for as many as 500 sight savers supporters, all done with a smile and usual understated efficiency.
Pam continues with her involvement in Inner Wheel doing fundraising for local charities about the town and of course her work with as the secretary/volunteer with Festive Dursley despite her family commitments.

Terry Pascoe
Nominated by Cllr Mandy Woodward and Caroline Marrow.
Terry grew up on Dartmoor and moved to Dursley to be the Headteacher at Cam House School, now known as the Peak Academy.
He has been very involved in the Dursley community over the years. A Rotary member of long standing and has been President of Dursley Rotary. He has done much in supporting charities and local groups. Including being a well-known figure and a great MC at annual Festive event and Male Voice Choir events. Terry has also been know to read Halloween stories to the young children at the Market Place

Terry is a larger than life character we will all miss as he moves out of the Dursley area to be closer to his family