Modest Mona is great neighbour
10:11am Friday 30th November 2007
WHEN Mona Bertwistle arrived at the Albert Halls for Bolton at Home's first Customer Involvement Awards, she thought she was there to see friends pick up a trophy.
But instead, she carried home the Good Neighbour of the Year award, after being nominated by Barbara Whittaker, who lives next door to Mrs Bertwistle in Ingledene Grove, Doffcocker.
The awards were created to honour people who make outstanding contributions to their local communities.
And as chairman of Captains Clough Residents Association, Mrs Bertwistle, aged 71, has worked tirelessly to make people feel at home in the area.
She has helped many residents with their shopping, pick up their post, do their gardening and put their rubbish bins out.
The mother-of-six said: "It was a lovely surprise because I didn't know I'd been nominated.
"I don't like taking all the praise because it is a wonderful neighbourhood and we all look out for one another, which is really nice."
As an added bonus for Mrs Bertwistle, the friends she nominated - Jean and Brian Lynch, of Chorley Old Road - won the Most Improved Garden award.
Among the other winners were Eunice Rowley, of Farnworth, who received the award for the most outstanding contribution to customer involvement.
As a member of Bolton Affiliation of Tenants and Residents Association, Mrs Rowley represents Bolton at Home customers at local, regional and national housing conferences.
The Wellfield Project in Deane won both the Creative Project and Inspiring the Youth of Bolton awards for organising its fund days and sports teams.