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Community Development honours Island’s senior citizens

Hundreds of the Island’s senior citizens were recently honoured with a special ceremony at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.Minister of Community Development Michael Weeks hosted the event, which celebrated contributions 50 seniors had made to the community.Joy and James Warner was one of a handful of couples recognised for their efforts at the 25th annual Senior Citizens’ Awards ceremony. The Warners started We Care Ministries and volunteer their time visiting the sick and elderly in nursing homes. They also raise scholarship money to help young people achieve their dreams.Well-known sculptor Chesley Trott was also honoured for work such as his sculpture, ‘When Voices Rise’, which sits in Wesley Square in Hamilton. He is perhaps less well known for many years spent teaching art and sculpture to prisoners.Janice Trott was recognised for her many years as a reading teacher, and then her later work running the Senior Learning Centre at the Bermuda College.Many of the senior citizens were an inspiration because they overcame hard times and then went on to use their life experiences to help others.For example, Lee Edgar Raynor was a top cricketer in his younger days. He began abusing drugs and alcohol when he retired from the sport. He now helps others who are struggling, particularly the homeless. Every Sunday he picks up around 11 homeless people, gets them cleaned up and takes them to church.Each person honoured received a book detailing their life stories.Seven centenarians were honoured: Rowena Hope Bascome, Gladys Almeira Cann, Frederick Clipper, Doris Josephine Corbin, Norris Nathaniel Dickenson, Vivienne M Jones and Alona Simons.