.. Cwmbran Community Award 2006 - Citation ..

Anne Moore has nominated Nigel Jones for a 2OO6 Community Award. When examining the criteria, Anne ticked most of the boxes - indicating that Nigel has engaged over many years in service, dedication and achievement, particularly in the field of the local environment.

Nigel has, in fact, been the inspiration behind many community activities in Cwmbran. His interest in preserving the history of the town and promoting it via his excellent website (www.cwmbran.info) is very evident. It isn't only local people that find the information interesting but also ex-pats, worldwide, many of whom have expressed their pleasure in the ability of Nigel and his website to keep them in touch with their roots.

Nigel has a passion for Cwmbran and this is best seen, perhaps, in his consuming interest and passion for the preservation of the Mon Brecon Canal through the Cwmbran area. He has 'patrolled' the canal from the Sebastopol tunnel down to Ty Coch on a monthly basis for quite some time. He has been able to fuel and fire the enthusiasm of groups of children and young people in Cwmbran, arranging some major canal clean-ups. Nigel also patrols the canal in the company of representatives of Torfaen County Borough Council.

On a personal note, I first met Nigel who called into the office 14 years ago, asking if the Community Council could help him realise some of his aspirations. Nigel sat on the Council's Environmental Committee and made a major contribution there. Nothing has ever dampened Nigel's passion and flare for the canal and for Cwmbran in general. Polite, dedicated, focused and passionate are words I would use to describe Nigel. He has certainly done so much to place Cwmbran on "the world map" and, according to Anne, is "extremely deserving" of a community award.

Ladies and gentlemen, Cwmbran Community Council couldn't agree more and I'd like to ask Nigel Jones to receive his Community Award from Councillor Tom Matthews, Vice-Chairman of the Council.

- Mr. D J. Orphan ACIS Clerk to Cwmbran Community Council -