LUATH Grant Ferguson has become the first recipient of a new Alton Society award that recognises an individual who is deemed to have rendered outstanding services to the town. Presenting the award at the society's annual meeting, chairman Reg Aldhous praised Mr Grant Ferguson for his "remarkable range of contributions to the educational, cultural and social life of the Alton community". A founder member of the society, since moving to Alton almost 40 years ago, Mr Grant Ferguson has certainly made his mark. After graduating in modern languages (French and Italian) from Oxford University, and becopming a teacher, he went on to develop a passion for child language learning and linguistics, with a particular interest in the use of music to stimulate language skills. But his humanity has led him to fight all manner of causes. Arriving in Alton, he found the town lacked provision for youth and decided to improve the situation. He and wife Helen set up Alton Omnibus – a workshop aimed at encouraging young people to become involved in theatre and the arts. His campaigning spirit became more evident in 1973, when it was discovered that the Roman artefacts found during the digging of the Alton by- pass were going across the border to the Surrey Archaeological Society. The successful campaign that ensued also resulted in the setting up of the Alton Society. Working under the chairmanship of John Ambrose, the group's first big challenge was to set Alton up with a Community Centre and it was Luath's job to find a suitable building. By coincidence, French Foundations – the underwear factory in Amery Street, had just "gone bust" and the building was up for grabs. The old Alton Urban District Council (AUDC) was just disbanding and it had Alton money to get rid of – some of it was used to build Alton Sport Centre and £80,000 was used to take on the factory -– the building which houses Alton Community Centre to this day. Dr John Tomlinson was put in as chairman, to co- ordinated the launch of the new centre, and Luath's job was to introduce adult education and encourage youth involvement. At the same time he was instrumental in launching Freeplay – one of the first playschemes for pre- school children in the county, which was based in a series of disused railway carriages in Anstey Park. A staunch Labour supporter at the time, Luath secured a seat, first on the AUDC (a former Tory stronghold) and then on the founder Alton Town Council and East Hampshire District Council. It was said of him at that time that "the demons of revolution were beating down the streets and alleyways of Alton". "They were exciting times. We had a good relationship with the Tory councillors but we also fought hard to bring about change," said Luath. Little did he know the kind of battles he would be called upon to lead. Having been head of languages at Lord Mayor Treloar Hospital School before becoming deputy head at Yateley School, he was asked to return to Alton in 1983 to set up a unit for young special needs children at LMT Hospital School. Bushy Leaze was launched on a shoestring, but with a first-class team of teachers and therapists. The model was a pioneering one based on the importance of play and of a child centred model of education in which the child, the parents and other children are the "real teachers", supported by teachers and therapists. At that time Luath was also using his teaching and musical skills on the wards at Treloar Hospital, in particular the Mary Rose ward for elderly people. It was the hospital that was to test Luath's skills over the next 10 years as a campaign leader. His first battle was to fight the eventual closure of the Mary Rose ward and then to work tirelessly to secure an alternative provision by persuading Brendoncare to build a 'continuing care' facility at Adams Way. Luath's next challenge was even greater when the shadow of the axe fell over Treloar Hospital. He lead a robust campaign involving local residents, GPs and health workers and founded the LMTH Charitable Company Ltd. Under Luath's chairmanship the intention was to purchase the hospital from the NHS and run it as an orthopaedic teaching hospital with video links to third world countries so enabling surgeons to instruct less able overseas practitioners while actually in the operating theatre. It was hoped to obtain Royal support in the aim to assist with reconstruction of land mine victims. A small business park was planned for companies specialising in orthopaedics to enable 'on the job' monitoring and testing of new products. But the NHS refused to sell. With the announcement of the NHS intention to demolish the hospital to make way for a housing development, a petition was raised that attracted more than 26,000 signatures in less than three weeks. The Alton Society joined in to help fight the proposal. They even approached English Heritage in a bid to get the hospital buildings 'listed' but the bid was unsuccessful and following a five day public inquiry the NHS won the right to build and the hospital was burnt to the ground. Luath later helped to set up the LMTH Memorial Fund. Against this background, Luath was instrumental in running a separate campaign to save Bushy Leaze which was eventually found a new home next to Anstey Junior School. He gave up his role as head teacher at that time but continued as Chair of Governors to oversee the move. "Alton is extremely lucky to have Bushy Leaze," said Luath, who describes it is a model for others across the country and one which has just received an "outstanding Ofsted". On the same week that he received the Alton Society award, Luath Grant Ferguson became the recipient of another accolade when he was named runner-up in the Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards for his current work at Dove House School for pupils with special needs in Basingstoke. He was described in his citation as a teacher who "has an outstanding ability to reach into the lives of the children in his classes and make them able to take part in the joy of music." According to head teacher, Colin House, thanks to the hard work of Luath Grant Ferguson music has become a major influence at Dove House "his inspiration has truly made a difference". And so it has over the years in Alton, which is why Luath Grant Ferguson was chosen as the first recipient of an award which, he believes, recognises the society's awareness that while buildings and the environment are important, so too are people.