Award for Bishop Auckland community stalwart (From The Advertiser Series)

Award for Bishop Auckland community stalwart

1:40pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News

A RETIRED painter and decorator has received a top honour for his work in the community.

Des Graves has been awarded the Chairman’s Medal by Durham County Council, for his dedication to Escomb, near Bishop Auckland.

The popular pensioner has planted thousands of daffodils in and around the Bishop Auckland area and people affectionately refer to them as Des’ Daffodils.

He owned a painting and decorating business in Bishop Auckland for over 40 years and went on to serve on many steering groups following his retirement.

When he moved to Escomb village, he made an immediate impact by making new planting beds and generally tidying up the village.

He was heavily involved in the fundraising for the new Escomb Village Hall and single-handedly turned a disused area of land into a Jubilee Garden adjacent to the village hall which was officially opened by the Countess of Wessex last November.

Chairman of Durham County Council, Councillor Linda Marshall, said: “Determination and true grit have been the hallmark and drive of everything that Des has entered into.

“He loves to lead by example and the word no doesn’t exist in his vocabulary.

“The chairman’s medal was introduced for such people as Des for all the sterling work he has done for the community.”

More Bishop Auckland News