Our Chairman Jeff Day is Seaton's Citizen of the Year

Two of our committee were honoured at the Seaton Town Council AGM on May 10th. Our chairman Jeff Day was elected as Seaton's Citizen of the Year 2010 in recognition of his sterling work on behalf of the twinning exchange with Thury-Harcourt for the past 27 years, of which 17 has been as chairman. The citation, after reviewing the benefits of the twinning arrangement went on to say - "None of this (the benefits of twinning) would have been possible without the dedication and sheer hard work Jeff has done. In Thury-Harcourt, as in many other European Countries, their twinning association gets financial and administrative help from the local council. In Britain, everything depends on individuals. In Devon, many twinning associations are in decline or are moribund. The reason that Seaton is not in this group is simply because of Jeff, and his very special qualities that include infinite patience, consummate diplomacy, total dedication, deprecating modesty and a wry sense of humour. Each time the Association has faltered, Jeff has come to the rescue. It is not too much of an exaggeration to say that today Seaton may be without its twinning dimension, if not for Jeff. Seaton values its relationship with Thury-Harcourt, and it is appropriate that Seaton acknowledges the service that Jeff has performed. Jeff hopes to stands down next year after 17 years of service as chairman and so next week when he and the twinners of Seaton visit Thury on his last trip as president, he goes with the citizen of the year award in recognition of the service Jeff has done, not only here but also for our French twin town. It is an award greatly deserved.

Congratulations also to our secretary Glyn Roberts who was praised at the meeting by County Councillor Jim Knight for his service as a Special Police Constable. Glyn and other Association members shown below were at the presentation to congratulate Jeff