Henley town medals for ‘unsung’ community campaigners

A HUSBAND and wife, bus co-ordinator and clean air campaigner in Henley have received the town medal.

Norman and Sally Daniells, who live in Blandy Road, have fundraised for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for more than 50 years.

Robin Popham, who lives in Valley Road, has helped run the Henley Handybus for about 15 years.

David Dickie, who lives in St Katherine’s Road, is an air quality campaigner who is part of the charge to stop heavy goods vehicles using the town as a cut through.

They were presented with the award by Mayor Tom Buckley at a ceremony at the town hall on Wednesday last week, which was attended by family, friends and councillors.

Cllr Buckley also told of how he had nominated Mr and Mrs Daniells. He said: “When my wife and I arrived in Henley, about nine years ago, we went for a walk along the river and there was a stall for donations to the RNLI.

“Growing up in Northern Ireland, by the sea, we used to go sailing and the RNLI was a very big thing for me. To be honest, I saw the stall and I didn’t really understand why there was a big presence here.

“But, over the years, I got more involved and I met some of my closest friends there. I think the amount of work you both have done, even still in your eighties, to raise money, there are not many people who have put that much effort in across Henley to have done what you both have.”

Cllr Buckley said that town and district councillor, Kellie Hinton, had seconded the motion to award the couple the medal, calling Mr Daniells “grandad” as he went to school with her mother.

Mr Daniells said: “We are immensely grateful to receive the town medal this evening and we thank the mayor and the town council for this very generous and thoughtful honour. To be recognised by the town that has been our family’s home for nearly 200 years is incredibly touching.

“Any contribution we have made to the town has simply come from a love of Henley and it is a desire to give something back to a community that has given so much to us. We are very aware that Henley thrives because of the kindness, commitment and quiet dedication of so many people and it is with real humility that we accept this recognition.”

Town and district councillor Stefan Gawrysiak told of Mr Dickie’s passion to educate all about the issue of air pollution.

He said: “David was one of the first people in the UK to recognise and act upon the dangers of particulates and vehicle emissions, particularly from diesel engines.

“Ten years ago, David founded Clean Air Henley, which has since run a series of impactful campaigns.”

Cllr Gawrysiak told of how Mr Dickie has visited every school in Henley to talk about pollution and launched Café Scientifique, a forum to debate science issues.

He said: “For the past eight years, David has led the monitoring of Henley’s air quality with equipment provided by the town council.

“In addition to all of his air quality work, David started Café Scientifique and has now delivered 125 sessions. It’s completely free. He has also lent his expertise to the HGV campaign. We might even say he’s too qualified for a mere town medal. We did look at other awards that were suitable but, unfortunately, the Nobel Peace Prize has been given to somebody else.”

Mr Dickie, who has lived in Henley for about 80 years, said: “I got involved with air quality and I started to realise how serious this is. These carbon particles, they get inside your body and don’t dissolve because they can’t. They get everywhere, including into your brain, and they can affect you badly.”

Town councillor Gill Dodds paid tribute to Mr Popham. She said: “Robin has been the lynchpin of the running of the Henley Handybus for about 15 years.

“You’re one of Henley’s unsung heroes, which is what I call you. The Handybus is so important to the Over-60s Club because it collects our members directly from their homes and brings them to the club and then delivers them back afterwards.

“It’s always done with such kindness and thoughtfulness and we are so grateful to you. It is a big thing to organise and it’s very appropriate, Robin, that you join this prestigious list of town medal winners and unsung heroes. Thank you for all that you do.”