Community Star Awards

🌟 Celebrating our Community Heroes! 🌟

Disley Community Stars Shining Bright

On Sunday, 20th September, Disley Parish Council held its annual Civic Service at St Mary’s Church, bringing together members of the community, local dignitaries and special guests for a celebration of community spirit and the people who help make Disley such a wonderful place to live.

This year’s service focused on the power of small, community-minded actions in an uncertain world. The address reflected on the story of The Water-Babies and its message to “do as you would be done by”, encouraging us all to treat others with kindness, respect and consideration.

It was a fitting theme for a day celebrating people who put those values into action every day. Across Disley, there are countless examples of people giving their time, getting involved, supporting others and creating opportunities for their neighbours – and some of those community champions were recognised with this year’s Community Star and QEII Youth Awards.

Entering the service and to begin it, guests were welcomed with the sounds of Disley Community Choir, who also performed All Things Bright and Beautiful and I Am a Small Part of the World.

The highlight of the day was the presentation of the awards, recognising the outstanding contributions of local residents:

• Sue Jeffrey – for being an outstanding contributor to village life, giving her time, energy and creativity to make Disley brighter in every sense.
• Di Booth – for setting up a monthly community business meeting, helping local business owners connect with one another, establishing Discover Disley to promote local businesses and events, and for her hard work in making people feel welcome.
• Simon Payne – for more than 20 years of leadership with 1st Disley Scout Group, giving huge amounts of time to plan and run weekly meetings, camps and activities, as well as using his skills to help maintain the Scout Hut and repair tents and camping equipment.
• Grant Mitchell – for more than 30 years as a volunteer with 1st Disley Scout Group, supporting the group in a variety of roles and giving countless hours to help young people develop new skills, teamwork and leadership abilities and grow in confidence.
• Carol Breegan – for running Jely Club for tots at Disley Baptist Church, making cakes for the congregation every Sunday and running the Basement Youth Club.

The QEII Youth Awards celebrated the achievements of two young people:

• Grace Purcell – for her involvement with 1st Disley Scouts as a superb Patrol Leader and now a Young Leader in both the Scout and Cub sections, setting a brilliant example through her enthusiasm, attitude and willingness to teach younger Scouts the skills she has learned.
• Harry Frith – for his enthusiasm and commitment to 1st Disley Scouts, from Beaver and Scout through to Explorer and Young Leader, and for his hard work, diligence and eagerness to learn new skills and pass them on to others.

Commendation letters were presented to: Donna Young and James Cooke, for enhancing women’s fitness and health in Disley through their encouragement and support; and Disley Primary School Parliament, for making Disley Station bright and welcoming through their planting and colourful banners celebrating Railway 200 and Christmas.
June Gee was also awarded a commendation for her dedication as a dinner lady at Disley Primary School for decades until her recent retirement but was unable to attend to receive this.

The day was also attended by local dignitaries, including Cllr Judy Snowball, Mayor of Cheshire East Council; Dr Phil Cornwall, Consort to the Mayor; Cllr Hayley Whitaker, Mayor of Poynton with Worth Town Council; Cllr Dickie Fletcher, Mayor of Bollington Town Council; Isabella Cooke, Youth Consort for Bollington Town Council; and Tim Roca, MP.

Following the service, guests enjoyed refreshments and a chance to reflect on a lovely morning and a wonderful reminder that it is often the everyday actions of individuals that make the biggest difference. Whether through volunteering, supporting local organisations, bringing people together, helping young people or simply making the village a brighter and more welcoming place, these contributions all help strengthen our community.

Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients and commendation recipients and thank you for everything you do for Disley. We are proud to celebrate the people who help make our village such a special place.

Watch our video and browse the gallery below to see highlights from the day.

Community Star Awards 2025

On Sunday, 19th October, Disley Parish Council held its annual Civic Service Award Ceremony at St Mary’s Church, where the community came together for a heartwarming service celebrating Disley and the incredible spirit of its residents.

Following a warm welcome from the St Mary’s congregation, uplifting messages of togetherness, and the wonderful sounds of Disley Choir, guests enjoyed refreshments before the highlight of the day — Cllr. Paul Bull presenting the Community Star Awards on behalf of Disley Parish Council.

This year’s awardees have each made a remarkable contribution to village life through their kindness, dedication, and selfless service.
Below are their achievements:

⭐ Sheila Fearnley – Unobtrusively doing good deeds around the village.
⭐ Carole Heywood – Contributing many hours supporting Cancer Research and St Mary’s Church.
⭐ Barbara Roberts – For being kind, helpful and knowledgeable.
⭐ David & Nanou Higton – For their commitment to the village by being members of several community groups.
⭐ Maggie Poulson – Being a founder member of W.I. and Treasurer for many years, volunteering as leader of Disley Brownie pack for many years and a volunteer at Lyme Park for the last 11 years.
⭐ Glenys Millins and Anne Francis – For turning Disley Friends Social Group into a great success which provides vital support for Dementia sufferers and their families/carers.
⭐ Martin Jensen – For providing a variety of activities to support mental wellbeing and connection, making his an asset to the village.
⭐ Diane Fear – For her dedication to providing healthy school meals to pupils of Disley Primary School for nearly 3 decades.
⭐ Bob Harrison – For being the secretary of Men’s Probus for over 10 years and keeping things running smoothly
⭐ Martin Blackbourn – For being a friendly face in the village and looking after the pitch at Disley Amalgamated Sports Club.
⭐ Muriel Hanson – For being a founder member of Ladies Probus, Treasurer and long-time volunteer.
⭐ Disley Cancer Research Committee – For regularly organising events to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

Congratulations to all our 2025 Community Stars who help make Disley a truly special place to live.

Watch the recipients receive their award below!

Community Star Awards 2024

Disley Community Stars Shining Bright 

On Sunday, 27th October, Disley Parish Council held its annual Civic Service Award Ceremony at St Mary’s Church, where the community gathered for an inspiring service centred on the theme of unity. It was a reminder of the strength in our community and the importance of each individual’s contributions. The event commenced at 11 am, and we were welcomed warmly by the St Mary’s congregation, whose message on togetherness and community resonated.

Following some tasty refreshments and enjoying the sounds of Disley Choir, the highlight of the day was the presentation of our Community Star awards. This year’s recipients have tirelessly given their time, efforts, and talents to making Disley a better place for all. We are thrilled to share a bit about their contributions:

• Yvonne Williamson: She leads the Disley Belles, a group that brings local women together monthly for lunches and social outings.
• Geoff Williamson: Leading the “Grumpy Old Men” group, a counterpart to the Disley Belles, Geoff ensures that the men in the village have similar social opportunities. Additionally, as a driver for the Disley Community Bus, Geoff provides a crucial service for our older residents, helping them maintain independence by offering transport for shopping trips and social outings.
• Laura Weston: Laura’s 14 years of service with the Disley School PTA have made a lasting impact on generations of local children. Her dedication has helped raise significant funds, enriching the learning environment and creating countless memories for Disley’s young people.
• Margaret Toft: Margaret’s commitment to music and education in Disley has spanned decades. Through her work with the village choir, Disley School, and the village church, Margaret’s teaching of instruments and her coordination of events, such as the Maypole dance have brought music and joy to many.
• Julie Jones: Julie’s quiet dedication to keeping our village clean through her regular litter-picking around Disley are a testament to her kindness and commitment, taking it upon herself to care for our environment and contribute to our village’s beauty.

These recipients remind us of the power of individual action and the cumulative impact that dedicated service has on our village. 

Congratulations to all the awardees, and thank you for your invaluable contributions to Disley. Your hard work and kindness are appreciated and we look forward to celebrating many more community champions in the years to come.

2023 Winners

2023 saw the launch of Disley Parish Council’s new Community Star Awards and a brand new youth award, presented in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Cllr. Simon Brownbill, Chair of Disley Parish Council, was delighted to present the awards at the Annual Civic Sunday event in October. All the recipients had been nominated by Disley and Newtown residents and Cllr. Brownbill thanked them all for their efforts on behalf of the village.

Community Star Awards were presented to:

• Jane Ball for her tireless work of many years as a volunteer with 1st Disley Beavers.
• Helen Boardman for her dedication in looking out for the elderly in the community and being such a good neighbour to all.
• Lindsey Pollard for her many acts of kindness including providing residents with transport, and helping with Cuppa an’ a Chat, Good Neighbours and Community Speedwatch.
• Kevin Breegan for litter picking, maintaining the Baptist Church gardens and making the Ram’s Head bowling green such a beautiful space.
• Sarah Bunnage for providing volunteer support to the children of Disley Primary School as well as being a School Governor and supporting her neighbours in the wider community.