SIX Haslemere residents were honoured with special medals to mark their exceptional service to the community.

Mayor David Round presented the awards at a ceremony at the town hall on Monday last week.

The initiative was instigated by Sir Ray Tindle, proprietor of the Herald, who presented the town with a quantity of medals to be given in recognition of oustanding contributions to the life of Haslemere.

Residents nominate those they think deserve the awards twice annually and an independent panel considers the names and recommends those thought worthy of such an honour.

The panel chairman, Hamish Donaldson, who chairs the Haslemere Festival organising committee, introduced the candidates before awards organiser Fay Foster read out the citations.

Afterwards, the recipients and their sponsors joined town councillors and guests for celebratory drinks.

Haslemere town crier Christian Ashdown, winner of this year’s national championships, received a medal for bringing great credit to the town in his role over the past eight years.

He instigated the UK Town Crier contest at Haslemere Charter Fair and hosts the event, which now attracts competitors from around the UK.

He is also a tireles volunteer, most notably for Wey Hill in Bloom.

Fellow medal winner Sarah Fairbairn started helping at the Haslemere Stroke Club, at Holy Cross Hospital, in 1996, and in 2013 took over as chairman.

She also helps with the Guildford Undetected Tumour Screening charity, has volunteered for Meals on Wheels for more than 25 years, and is a former chairman of the Haslemere branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

Susan Mitchell received a medal for 40 years’ service with GirlGuiding, during which she has been a leader with Chiddingfold Guides and 5th Haslemere Guides. She has also held posts both locally and at county level.

Fellow medal winner Jane Stopford Russell has been chairman of Haslemere Society for six years, having been a committee member since 2006.

In 2000, she was a committee member for NADFAS, taking over as chairman from 2007-10, and participates at Crossways Counselling, as well as being a committed fundraiser in the area.

Nick Westcott-White is the mastermind and main man behind Haslemere Fringe bar and does the same for all the events on Lion Green and the High Street, including the Charter Fair and Christmas Market. He has been responsible for generating in excess of £50,000 towards the Fringe. Nick is also a trustee of Haslemere Hall.

Sandra Hammond, who was unable to attend the ceremony, received a medal for keeping Haslemere Hospital ‘absolutely gleaming’ for 26 years in her role as housekeeper – and is affectionately known as ‘mother’ to all the staff.