A MUCH loved health visitor who has helped to care for generations of children in the Malmesbury area has been chosen as the town’s Citizen of the Year.

Thelma Burgess, who received several nominations, is known to hundreds of families in the town and surrounding villages.

The award was greeted with loud applause when it was announced at the town’s annual meeting on Tuesday night, when Mayor John Gundry said she had been a “clear, outstanding winner.”

This year there were 14 nominations and as a result Cllr Gundry decided because there had been so many nominations this year the council would vote on a runner up award, which went to Neil Muttock, who organises the Malmesbury Accoustic Sessions.

Young Citizen of the Year was Callum Walker, who was nominated for his work with the Scouts and Malmesbury Music Academy, while the Athelstan Museum Council won the Paul Dove Cup for Community Group of the Year.

Nominations were: Citizen of the Year: Thelma Burgess, Julie Exton, Judith Fooks, Frances Goldstone, Michael Lynch, Daphne Merritt, Sylvia Morgan, Sarah McGrory, Neil Muttock, Dave Picter, Iona Pinchis, Simon and Gill Shaw, Kristian Trimble and John Walker.

Young Citizen of the Year: Callum Walker, Emma Totman and Jamie Shaw.

Community Group of the Year: Athelstan Museum Council, the Malmesbury fire crew, Heals editorial team and Malmesbury Neighbourhood Plan steering group.

For a full report see Thursday's Standard.