High praise for flood warden as he receives award

The warden, who started helping in the Flood Hub in Mytholmroyd during the major event a few years ago, was presnted his award at a reception held at Halifax Town Hall by Calderdale Council.

Trevor said he was delighted to receive the award and that it was in recognition of all the support given by over 2,000 people to help the community recover after the flood event.

“The response from people who came from far and wide to help was absolutely amazing,” said Trevor. “It is everyone’s award – it just happens to have my name on it.”

Trevor has received praise from voluntary group Slow the Flow, Calderdale Council, the Environment Agency and a local MP who continue to be impressed by his boundless energy and dedication to helping protect his local community and the environment.

Helen Batt, director for the Calderdale catchment for the Environment Agency, said: “The huge amount of work Trevor has done to help protect people and the environment in the Calder Valley is incredibly impressive.

“We are also grateful to him for taking on the role as a flood warden and how proactive he has been in helping others to develop their resilience in the event of future flood events. He has been heavily involved in writing flood plans for flood groups and supporting other volunteers.”

Adrian Horton of Slow the Flow, said: “Trevor’s energy and enthusiasm for helping others is unending and he is revered locally for the work he has done over the last two and a half years. His name is synonymous with volunteering in Calderdale and he has inspired many others to get involved in volunteering activities.”

Trevor will be taking part in a Calder Valley Flood Warden Network event on Wednesday 23 May at Hebden Bridge Town Hall set up to share best practice amongst volunteers - and to recruit more.

So far Trevor and the Calder Valley Clean Up team have inspired over 3,000 volunteers to take part in his work from all kinds of backgrounds, with ages ranging from five to 94 and from as far afield as Edinburgh and Bristol.

Following the floods, hundreds of people across Calderdale were involved in a huge relief effort and Trevor took on the role of co-ordinating volunteers.

Since then he has worked tirelessly to clean up the area including improving footpaths, developing an outdoor baby play area in Luddendenfoot, litter sweeps across the valley, repairing the Civic Centre in LuddendenFoot, painting communal areas at Elphaborough Court and more.

For more information about Calder Valley Clean Up or to get involved in their work contact Trevor Bannister on 07340 525294.