THE deputy to the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire surprised the retiring Mayor of Yate with a special award.

Councillor Wully Perks received the award from Tom Frost who has just completed a year as High Sherriff of Gloucestershire, and is now a deputy to the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Dame Janet Trotter, on Monday, May 11.

Mr Frost and his wife Carolyn arranged to meet Councillor Perks and his wife Mary at the town council offices at Poole Court and surprised him with the award “in recognition of great and valuable services to the community.”

Cllr Perks said: “I was very moved and humbled to receive the award from Tom Frost, it has been a great privilege over the last year to welcome the High Sheriff and his wife Carolyn to Yate on several occasions and show them what a wonderful town and community we have in Yate.”

Mr Frost said: “As High Sheriff, one does get the opportunity at the end of one’s year to single out just a few of the special members in the county whom one feels deserve personal recognition and appreciation for their commitment to causes they pursue to the benefit of so many in the community.

“Wully has invited my wife and I to many excellent events in Yate, including the reopening of the railway station last May, visits to the Armadillo Youth Centre, Kingsgate Park, Peg Hill skatepark, the wonderful Armistice Day Service and the acrogymnastic night at the Leisure Centre.

“I really feel that he is a special person along with his wonderfully supportive wife Mary and he has enhanced the stature of the mayoral role no end.

“I therefore feel that he thoroughly deserves recognition and I am sure that he will still be very valued within the Yate community.”