A LEADING East Hampshire politician has received a lifetime achievement award for his work in the village he calls home.
East Hampshire District Council leader Ferris Cowper was presented with the award for his work in his home town of Grayshott at the awards evening in Enham Place, near Andover.
And Grayshott was honoured with the title Champion of Champions after winning a raft of awards in the competition for Hampshire communities.
In all, the village won seven categories at the annual Hampshire Association of Local Councils presentation evening.
Due to its success, Grayshott was given the title of village Champion of Champions, recognition only given in exceptional circumstances.
Cllr Cowper was delighted to win the Inspirational Individual Lifetime Achievement category, but was even more gratified to see recognition for Grayshott’s thriving community spirit.
He said: “I am incredibly proud to call Grayshott my home.
“It takes a lot of work from a lot of people to make a successful community, people must be willing to put themselves out, to put others first and do things for the benefit of the village as a whole. It takes a certain kind of attitude and we have that attitude in abundance in Grayshott.
“I am very proud of everyone who has worked so hard to make Grayshott the fantastic place it is to live and work. To win the Lifetime Achievement award was just the icing on the cake for me, and a wonderful surprise.”
Grayshott was the only East Hampshire village to win any awards in this year’s ceremony, on Wednesday, September 28.
Other awards picked up by Grayshott during the ceremony included Best Community Pub, for The Fox and Pelican, and the Excellence in Localism award for its partnership working on the ‘Three Pavements’ project.
The village hall was Highly Commended, as was an entry into the Best Environment Project, for three new footpaths. The village’s playground also came Runner-Up in its category.
The awards were sponsored by Fullers Brewery