Annual Trophy
The Aim
The River Thames Society makes an annual award of a Trophy to an individual or group of individuals, organisation or corporate body making the most significant contribution to the well being of the River Thames during the calendar year. The first award was made in 1994.Recommendations for the award are invited from any individual, company or organisation whether or not they are directly connected with the river but must be of direct significance to the well being or improvement of the river. The Society has in mind the recognition of significant achievements such as new architecture of great benefit to the river, bankside developments to improve the beauty of the river, significant commercial developments to increase river usage and similar major contribution to the Thames.
Nominations
Winners 2007
The Administrator,
River Thames Society,
23A Cuxham Road
Watlington
OX49 5JW.
Whatever form is most convenient and relevant to the nomination can be used. The nominations should be as brief and succinct as possible with such supporting evidence/documents as the proposer thinks necessary.
Nominations should be received by the Society's Administrator by 1st December each year for the selection to take place the following February.
The winner will be notified in advance of the presentation which will take place at the Society's AGM each April 2008.
The Trophy
The Trophy is in the form of a shield donated to the Society by the President, Sir Anthony Durant. A certificate recording the award with a brief citation accompanies the shield. Two runners up also receive certificates recording their achievements. After presentation the recipients will retain the Trophy for one year. The Durant Cup is also awarded for an individual who has made a significant contribution to the Thames and the Society.
AWARD WINNERS 2007
Award Winners 2007 were presented with their awards at the AGM on 19th April 2008.
PRESENTATION OF 2007 AWARDS
As Chairman of the 2007 Awards Committee, Colin Reynolds explained that it had been decided not to award the RTS Shield this year as there had been insufficient nominations at a suitable stage of development.
A Durant Cup runner-up award was made to Margaret Bowdery MBE in acknowledgement of her tireless and professional leadership of the East Berks Ramblers in campaigns which had successfully secured significant areas of riverside access for the future enjoyment of all. Margaret spoke briefly to thank the Society for this recognition, saying that there was still some work to do and the award would be an excellent incentive.
The Durant Cup was awarded to Val Mason for her exemplary work on behalf of the Society, particularly in regard to planning and flood issues.
Paul Coleman then introduced the new Thames Heritage Awards, explaining how these would operate for 2008 with the anticipated involvement of RTS branches.
The 2007 award winner was the Jolly Boat Project, a London's Arcadia youth activity, and, accompanied by Ken Mackenzie and Jason Debney of that organisation, two of the boys involved spoke briefly about this ongoing project to build and eventually race a traditional jolly boat. A cheque and certificate were presented to Joe and Henry by Paul Coleman.
Click here for the 2006 award winners