What an unforgettable evening it was on Friday 6th March at the 2026 Civic Reception. The Mayor, Andy Bailey, presented the Citizen Awards and was in great form, welcoming guests with an opening speech filled with gentle humour and sincere appreciation for the hard work that had gone into making the Corn Exchange look so beautiful for the occasion.
The very talented Witney Guitar Club treated guests to an enthusiastic performance, showcasing classic songs and memorable guitar riffs that encouraged lively audience participation. Their performance was so well received that it earned a huge round of applause and calls for an encore. We look forward to hearing from them again very soon.
The evening began with the presentation of Long Service Awards for 15+ years to three members of the Town Council staff. Two members of the Works Team, Mike and Graham, and one member of the Communications and Engagement Team, Polly, were recognised for their dedication. They were warmly thanked for their many years of hard work and the difference they make to the community on behalf of the Town Council.
The Citizen Awards then followed. The Mayor’s Special Award Certificate for Caring for the Environment was presented to Annie McNamara, who undertakes litter-picking while walking her rescue dogs at least three times each day to help support the local street scene. Annie also champions aid for rescue dogs, taking them in and caring for them until they can find new homes. Her tireless efforts have not only improved the environment but have also raised awareness of the importance of adopting rescue animals.
This award was also presented to the Volunteer Gardeners at Witney Community Hospital. They plant and maintain a small garden for the use of staff, patients, and visitors, creating an impactful space that brings a sense of calm to those who spend time there. Their dedication ensures the garden remains a peaceful and welcoming place to sit throughout the year, enhancing the wellbeing of everyone who visits.
Next, the Youth Organisation of the Year award was presented to the 1st Witney Brownies. Their nominator praised the group for the supportive and inspiring environment they create for young people in Witney, helping girls to build confidence, learn new skills, and form lasting friendships while enjoying fun and engaging activities together each week.
The next award of the evening, Community Organisation of the Year, was presented to Witney Community Meal. This wonderful initiative addresses food poverty and social isolation by offering free meals every Thursday at High Street Methodist Church. Since its launch in 2023, the project has served more than 3,000 meals, creating a welcoming space where people can connect, share conversation, and support one another.
Breaking bread together encourages friendship and meaningful conversation, transforming what might seem like a simple meal into a powerful community experience. As one nominator noted, “While the concept itself is straightforward, the dedication and commitment of the organisers have made the weekly meal a vital lifeline for many and a powerful antidote to loneliness.”
Finally, the evening concluded with the announcement of Citizen of the Year 2025, awarded to Sonia Jervis.
Those who know Sonia, or who have experienced one of her guided walks, will instantly recognise how deserving she is of this honour. Sonia is a hardworking and committed volunteer at the Witney and District Museum. Whether it is Town Council events or local commemorations, Sonia is always eager to be involved, representing the museum with passion and genuine enthusiasm.
Her history and heritage walking tours are the result of countless hours of personal research, with Sonia pouring her heart and soul into each one. The tours are educational, entertaining, and consistently leave participants eager to return, with many repeat visitors keen to discover even more about Witney’s rich history.
A particularly moving feature of her tours is the poetry she incorporates along the way. Her poetic finales often leave attendees deeply touched, sometimes even close to tears, bringing the stories of the town vividly to life.
Her nominators spoke of her with great warmth. One described her as “one of those rare people who always seems to be busy — largely because she so often says yes. She goes out of her way to support Town Council events and approaches everything she does with boundless energy and enthusiasm.”
Another added, “Her tours are available to everyone, and Sonia sometimes leads them in costume to add to the experience — for example dressed as a witch for the Ghost and Mystery tour.”
Sonia truly deserves the title of Citizen of the Year for her unwavering dedication to preserving and sharing the rich history and heritage of Witney with the community.
Witney Town Council would like to offer its congratulations to all the award winners and extend sincere thanks for the hard work, dedication, and kindness that help make Witney such a special place for everyone.
