Community minded residents of the Architects Benevolent Society’s sheltered accommodation are the worthy recipients of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects Award for 2009 which is to be presented at the WCCA Election Court Dinner in the summer. It is awarded annually to the person or group who has been judged to have made the most significant effort to support the work of the ABS. This year the presentation platter is to be designed and executed by John Lyall.

Malcolm and Elisabeth Thirkettle devoted ten years to ferrying residents to and from doctor’s and dentist’s appointments, collecting prescriptions, doing shopping and arranging fundraising strawberry teas and coffee mornings. As if this were not enough, they also donated vegetables from their allotment to the resident’s communal kitchen and Elisabeth resolved to set aside £1 for the ABS each day throughout the year.

ABS President Ken Shuttleworth said “Elisabeth and Malcolm’s tireless work is so heartening and very much appreciated by the ABS, especially so at the moment when times are so difficult.”