Shining Star Award for local campaigner

Published by keeley for Longhurst Group in Communities and also in Housing

A woman who successfully campaigned to save her local bus service has received a Shining Star Award by affordable housing provider, Longhurst & Havelok Homes.

The Shining Star awards are given out by L&H Homes to those who have gone the extra mile for neighbours and the community with nominations for awards taken from staff and residents.

Stephanie lives in Moulton, a village near Spalding in Lincolnshire that had enjoyed access to ten regular buses a day. However, in early 2011 the local bus company, Norfolk Green, announced that they were planning to reduce services due to funding cuts.

The proposed changes to the service meant that only two buses would stop in the village with all other services stopping on the A151. This would mean a 30 minute walk along a main road back to Moulton which villagers thought was too far, especially for the elderly.

Stephanie then started a campaign which the entire community got behind, holding meetings and getting a petition started. Thanks to her hard work, Stephanie managed to save six bus journeys. Her campaign also won support from District and Parish Councillors as well as MP for South Holland, John Hayes, who wrote to congratulate Stephanie on the campaign’s success.

Of the campaign, Stephanie said, “I couldn’t believe how many people got involved; it was great to have so much support from the community. I’ve been told that now even more people are using the buses, so it was definitely worth it. It was lovely to have had such a huge amount of support and I would like to thank everyone who helped make this campaign a success.”

She added, “I’d also like to say thank you to L&H Homes for making me a Shining Star.”