Over the next two weeks we are showcasing some of the amazing work individuals and businesses have performed throughout the coronavirus pandemic as part of the Recognition of Service Awards.

Today we are looking at the Team Working category:

The volunteers of the Purleigh Village Shop

During the first lockdown the shop lost 70 per cent of their team so others had to step in and double up.

Their nomination said: "They installed Covid Secure measures in the shop, increased orders with local food producers and began a grocery delivery service, collected villagers medication and ran errands, connected people who needed things done in the home or garden and supported those who were isolated with a phone call and chat.

"All this hard work continues today – cometh the hour, cometh the team."

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Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Woodham Walter Village Lunch

The Village Lunch is an opportunity for those who may be socially isolated or on their own to get out and meet up with friends and neighbours.

The team said: "This is fantastic recognition for the whole team (Jacky, Cathy, Sally, Linda & Rob) and reinforces what an important and deserving service our lunch provides for the village.

"It also generates a feel good factor not only to those of us running the lunch but also to all our villagers who receive our lunch and who are part of our close and friendly village community."

MDCVS Staff

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Their nomination said: " “The staff at Maldon and District CVS were completely redeployed in March 2020 to play a role in creating and delivering the community response to the coronavirus outbreak.

"Almost without exception each member of the team reshaped their working practice and roles to support the response team.

"This was all done with remarkable professionalism and good will, as the director of this service I am extremely proud of each member of staff individually and of the strong team working demonstrated both internally and with the wider response team."

Gill Luff and The Dengie Food Pantry

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

The team saw a massive increase in donations during the pandemic, meaning the team had to work even harder.

Their nomination said: "Gill runs the Dengie Food Bank with her volunteer team (most are over 70 years old) – they have volunteered so many hours during thecrisis ensuring all households in need have access to food, cleaning products and toiletries – they have even organised a home delivery service for those that are isolating or do not have transport."

The Bell Public House

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Their nomination said: "“Ann, Sean and the team from The Bell Pub, Woodham Walter, created a lifeline for villagers during lockdown by creating a pop-up grocery service.

"The village is without a shop and with the pubs closed, they quickly realised that many residents were unable to obtain groceries or simply did not want to venture out but they were still able to procure supplies from their wholesalers.

"They set up a pre-order grocery service twice a week supplying produce of high quality for no profit."

Read more here.

Come back tomorrow for the Neighbourliness category.