Provost Buchanan has paid tribute to Falkirk's local heroes, recognising their achievements at a ceremony last week.

Those who have made outstanding contributions to the Falkirk area were presented with Provost's Awards at Callendar House on Thursday 11 November 2021.

Nominated by locals, the model citizens were recognised for exceptional contributions to - and the promotion of - communities in the Falkirk area.

Residents, former residents and individuals working in the area can all be nominated for a Provost’s Award, at any time of the year. Awards are are usually given for:

• Outstanding bravery
• Exceptional contribution to the community
• Exceptional contribution to the promotion of the area locally, nationally or internationally
• Excellence in a chosen field such as academia, the arts, business, culture, science, sport or the voluntary sector
• Other exceptional acts or achievements which the recognition panel deem appropriate

2021 winners

Janice Arbuckle

For exceptional contribution to the community. Janice has been involved with the Boys Brigade for over 45 years, becoming Captain of the Company in 1996.

For many years, she has been an exceptional contributor to the community in Camelon. She is a church elder at Camelon Parish Church and also helped to set up and run a charity shop on Camelon Main Street.

She has recently battled cancer, and is now on her way to recovery with positivity and determination.

Denis Kerr

For exceptional contribution to the community. Denis is known as a hard-working man who has dedicated his time and energy to keeping the village tidy, with tireless work in the local cemetery.

Come rain or shine, he can be found outside clearing footpaths, roads and play parks, or helping the elderly on their Wednesday day trips. The residents are grateful for his efforts.

Chloe Ward

For exceptional contribution to the community. Over the last five years, Chloe has given back to her community through her love of football.

Building up the Bog Bairns Football Club, she now trains and coaches more than 50 youngsters over five mixed age groups from 4 to 12.

She has recently contacted local primary schools, offering football coaching for children.

Charles Tibbles

For exceptional contribution to the community. Charles has been the secretary of the Falkirk Folk Club for many years.

He has organised events such as street performances, care home visits and the Tryst Festival.

During lockdown, he supported local musicians to make and share music every week, making life more tolerable for many local people.

Adam Gillies

For exceptional contribution to the community. Adam has been a driving force behind the Friends of Inchyra Park group.

Working tirelessly, he organised a 100-tree community orchard with improvements all over Inchyra Park. He helped to bring a heritage area and the Park’s first outdoor gym.

Asiyah and Jawad Javed

Special commendation for exceptional contribution to the community. Asiyah and Jawad have given back extensively to their  community since the start of the pandemic.

They have given out more than 10,000 hand-care packages to elderly people, for free, to help them stay safe from Covid-19. They followed this with donations of 10,000 facemasks and 10,000 hand gel bottles to NHS workers - spending significant sums of their own money to safeguard their community.

The couple regularly help their community, giving out free hot rolls to the homeless and vulnerable, and working with charities to help deliver food packages to those in need.

Tom Williamson

For exceptional contribution to the promotion of the area. Tom spent most of his lockdown encouraging gardeners, novice and veteran alike, to take part in home gardening.

With his own garden unable to open for charity, he decided to get on social media - answering garden problems from as far as Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Aubin Bryce

For exceptional contribution to the community. Flying Officer Aubin Bryce dedicated 56 years of his life to Falkirk’s Air Cadets, 470 (Falkirk) Squadron. 

During his time with 470 Squadron, he inspired and developed thousands of young people in the Falkirk area.

He sadly passed away in October 2021, and wife Fay collected this award on his behalf.