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A BUDE resident has been commended with a special recognition award from the mayor of the town where he worked for nearly 25 years.
Richard Wolfenden-Brown, the former director of The Plough Arts Centre in Torrington, has received a ‘Special Recognition Award’ from the mayor of Great Torrington, Cllr Phil Cloke, on behalf of Great Torrington Town Council, ‘in recognition of outstanding service given to the community of Great Torrington through his work at The Plough Arts Centre’.
Richard, who was made redundant from The Plough Arts Centre in August, had been the director of the arts centre for the past 24 years. At a farewell party on Sunday, October 20, held at The Commodore Hotel, Instow, friends, colleagues and previous trustees of The Plough, gathered together to say goodbye to Richard and wish him every success in his new venture in Bude and North Cornwall.
In August, upon announcing his departure, the arts centre said: “It has been a difficult time for all at the Plough recently as they’ve worked to recover after COVID. There have been a few significant changes, the most important of which is that after 24 years the organisation say goodbye to Richard Wolfenden-Brown. All the staff and trustees wish him well as he leaves an unrivalled legacy. He will be a difficult act to follow.”
Richard was presented with an engraved Dartington bowl, hotel voucher, theatre vouchers and flowers from staff, volunteers of The Plough plus the wider Torrington community.
After an emotional acceptance speech, Richard said: “I was truly shocked and humbled to be presented with a Special Recognition Award by the mayor of Great Torrington, on behalf of the council. I will treasure it always”.
He also thanked everyone who contributed to the leaving party and those who sent cards, letters and social media comments over the past few weeks.
He said: “Your kindness and friendship has been deeply appreciated. Working alongside trusted colleagues at The Plough has been a pleasure and a privilege. It has been the best of times – and the very best of times”.