Good Neighbour Awards 2008

The annual DAMHA Good Neighbour Awards took place at the Barracuda Bar in Chester le Street on 9th December where the winners were presented with plaques and cash prizes to celebrate their outstanding generosity and community spirit.

The 124th Durham Miners’ Gala attracted impressive numbers as usual and it continues to be revered as the one of the nation’s most significant historic social gatherings.

1st Prize: Mr & Mrs John & June Munneke, Gair Court, Nettlesworth.

“It was a shock to June and I when we were told me that we had been nominated for the award”, said John Munneke. “I had been expecting a call about an order with Argos and I was puzzled when June answered the phone and said “thank you, that’s lovely, smashing”. I just had to ask what that was all about and when she told me it was DAMHA telling us we had been nominated I just didn’t believe it. It hadn’t occurred to us that we did anything out of the ordinary. We simply think of it as helping our neighbours”. John, (58), and June, (52), moved into Gair Court two years ago and, John said, “We were made to feel really welcome. They are all smashing people here and it’s just like one big happy family. Our door is always open, 24 hours, and our neighbours all know they can ‘phone us any time, day or night”.

Neighbour Alfie Stephenson said, “I am partially disabled and can no longer do things like decorating and gardening. John and June have decorated my house right through when I was away on holiday and John does my back and front gardens. They both do anything they can to help their neighbours and ask nothing in return. They are the best.

Ivy Briggs, (79), said that, “John makes sure that everyone is alright. They are a lovely couple and they are always there if you need anything at all, any time of the day or night.”

One hundred and one year old Gair Court neighbour Mabel Haswell said, ”John and June are wonderful, they are willing to help at anytime”.

2nd Prize: Mr. Alan Hadden, Adair Tec, Chopwell.

Barry and Anne Kyle said, “ Alan is always cheerful and makes time to chat to each and everyone of his neighbours“. “Despite suffering from severe deafness and diabetes, he cleans the yards for three of his neighbours who are widowed and have no family to help”. Barry and Anne added, “ He is a very caring person”.

Neighbour Jean Noble agrees, “ Mr Haden sees to my refuse and recycling bins every week. Although I am quite able to do these things, he says it saves me from rushing out early in the morning. We all appreciate his genuine kindness and thoughtfulness”.

3rd Prize: Mr. & Mrs. Derek & Joyce Hogg, Marsden Rd, South Shields.

This is the fourth time Doreen Halliday, (84), has nominated Derek and Joyce Hogg for the Good Neighbour Awards. Doreen said, “I am badly arthritic and Joyce comes in every day to see if I need anything. She collects my pension and does messages, and always with a nice warm smile. Although Joyce is not in terrific good health herself, she takes good care of me and looks in on other neighbours. We all look forward to a chat with her. She’s an angel.”

Mary Nicholson said, “Derek and Joyce always make sure that I am alright every day. They help with all kinds of things. They get my papers and any shopping I need. Derek cuts my lawn when I can’t do it, Joyce puts out my bins and they take me to church and back on a Sunday morning”.

DAMHA Chief Executive, Gordon Gray said, “We at the Association are very proud of the award. Every year it illustrates the strong and sustained sense of caring that we believe is one of the great legacies of the mining community. It never ceases to impress us just how kind and considerate some people are. It’s a refreshing contrast to some of the negative stories we are confronted with in the media”.

“Once again, we are grateful to Aareon UK for their continued support of the DAMHA Good Neighbour Awards. and are delighted that Chris Mumford was able to present the awards.

Pictures (photography courtesy of Keith Potts)

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