THE winner of this year's Civic Award in Trowbridge is someone who has devoted much of his life to helping the children of the town.

Hugh Solomon, secretary of the town's Lions Club, was presented with the award at the annual Trowbridge civic dinner and dance on Friday. Mr Solomon was one of the charter members of the club when it began 32 years ago and has been a key mover in helping provide caravan holidays for children from disadvantaged backgrounds for the past 28 years.

He said: "Since 1978 we have taken over 500 families for a week's holiday. "We find a family that have never had a holiday, but it costs over £3,000 each year to keep the caravan running.

"If there are any groups or associations in the town who could contribute any money towards this it would be gratefully received."

As a teacher in the 1970s Mr Solomon saw the effects of deprivation on children and he and the club bought a caravan, which is on a site in Swanage, to allow them to have a holiday for the first time. An enthusiastic cricketer, he also set up a youth coaching scheme at Trowbridge Cricket Club.

Mr Solomon was joined at the dinner by civic dignitaries including the mayor of Oujda, Morocco, a town Trowbridge plans to twin with, as well as guests invited because of their contribution to the life of the town.

In his speech mayor Arthur Ransom paid tribute to the diverse cultures within the town.

He said: "We are fortunate in Trowbridge to have a number of distinct cultural groups.

"Over the last 50 years we have seen people come to the area from Poland, from Jamaica, from Yugoslavia, from Morocco and from elsewhere. Each culture has enriched our town."

Mr Ransom, who is nearing the end of his year as mayor, also spoke of the changing face of Trowbridge as new developments take place and spoke of the wide variety of people he has met during the past year, particularly volunteers.

  • Anyone who wishes to donate funds to the Lions Club can contact Mike Bracey on (01225) 753878.