At the end of January, the 13th annual Fairford & Lechlade Business Club Awards were held at Sudbury House Hotel in Faringdon. Although we weren’t able to be there on the night, we were thrilled that Ian won the Howard Dowler Award, which is a special award made by the Chair to the person or business that has made an outstanding contribution to the local community.

Helen Webb, the FLBC Chair, presented the award to Ian at an ordinary meeting of the Club and had some very nice words to say:

“When Ian and Jules joined the Business Club two years ago, they were still in the process of buying Lechlade Marina and drove from Northampton to regularly attend meetings to get to know the local community. Since purchasing the Marina, Ian has transformed it from the previously unloved state to a going concern which offers a great place to moor a boat. I am sure he will say there is still a lot to do, but he has made a significant difference to those that moor their boats, many of whom live there.

He has not only brought a much-needed breath of fresh air to the Marina, but also to the community, joining the Steering Group for the Business Club, the River User Group for the Upper Thames and is current Secretary of that group as well as sitting on the Lechlade Town Council. In a short space of time, he has made a positive contribution to the local area and community.  From a personal perspective, he offers valuable insights at our meetings and is also a thoroughly nice chap!”

It’s lovely to have this recognition of all Ian’s hard work and of the commitment he’s made to the area since we moved here, and we very much appreciate the FLBC’s support.