The Lieutenancy of Kent - The Spirit of Kent Award


Annual Civic Service and Presentation of The Spirit of Kent Award

Half a century of conspicuous service to the County by Kent Messenger Group President Edwin Boorman OBE DL was acknowledged on 20 March 2007 with the presentation of The Spirit of Kent Award.

Mr Boorman received the award from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, who was making a series of visits in the County.

The presentation took place at a luncheon at Turkey Mill, Maidstone, following the Lieutenancy of Kent’s third annual Civic Service at All Saints Church, Maidstone.

More than 400 local authority mayors, chairmen, and representatives of their charities attended the

service, together with council leaders, chief executives, representatives from town and parish councils throughout Kent, the Magistracy, the Emergency Services and the health sector.

In his address the Lord Lieutenant, Allan Willett CMG, said it was an occasion of thanksgiving for service to our communities. He said: “The distinguished congregation share two things in common: dedicated service to the community, and a belief in Kent and its future. It is my happy task to thank you all for the self-less, often ignored and often undervalued work you do in your communities.”

At Turkey Mill after the service, the Lord Lieutenant praised the vision shown by The Prince of Wales in initiating The Prince’s Trust which he said has literally turned the lives of many young people around.

He added: “Very much in line with the Trust’s aims is the Lieutenancy’s main initiative for this year aimed at celebrating the achievements of Kent youth.”

Inviting The Prince of Wales to present The Spirit of Kent Award, Allan Willett said it had been created to acknowledge conspicuous service to the County of Kent and its people by an individual over a long period.

“A panel of people, both elected and appointed, choose the recipients. That panel was unanimous in its decision to make the first such award last year to His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent. And it was again unanimous in its decision this year in selecting Edwin Boorman, Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, and President of the Kent Messenger Group.

“It acknowledges his conspicuous service to our County and its people over almost half a century. In his charitable and voluntary public sector roles he has given long and dedicated service to many Kent-based organisations, notably in high profile St John appointments over some 40 years, and through his close involvement with the Royal British Legion –
of which he is a former Kent County President – and in particular with Royal British Legion Industries, of which he is still Chairman.

“A former High Sheriff, he was Chairman of the Institute of Directors Kent Branch, and on the national stage is a former President of the Newspaper Society. He is an active Deputy Lieutenant and his current appointments include Chairmanship of Maidstone Trust, he’s a Governor of Mid Kent College, and former Chairman and now Deputy President of Kent Youth Trust. His Trusteeships have included Kent Air Ambulance Appeal and Chatham Historic Dockyard.

“He really has made a meaningful and vast contribution to the life of our County for which he is an unfailing protagonist, and in which he takes enormous pride. In all he does in and for the County, Edwin is the embodiment of The Spirit of Kent and this award is made to him for the wonderful contribution he – and his family – has made over many generations.”

Mr Boorman replied: "I gratefully accept this, the highest honour the Lieutenancy can bestow, on behalf not only of myself but of the six generations of my family who have done their best to make a positive and loving contribution to the Kent community over a very long period.

"To me, the award also represents recognition for the selfless volunteers and community workers of the organisations I have been associated with over the past 50 years, and the dedicated staff of the Kent Messenger Group."

The Spirit of Kent Award is the initiative of the Lord Lieutenant and is consistent with the Lieutenancy aim: to celebrate Kent, its unique history and culture, serve its communities - and contribute positively to its future.

It will be awarded at the most once annually on behalf of the people of Kent - and only to someone whose service to our great County has been truly outstanding.

Recipients are chosen by a panel holding significant positions, both elected and appointed: the Lord Lieutenant, Vice Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Chairman of Kent County Council, Mayors of Medway and Tunbridge Wells, Deans of Canterbury and Rochester Cathedrals, Chief Constable of Kent, and Chairman of the Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men.

In recommending recipients the panel will look for:

• Excellence in their personal field.
• An exceptional level of service to the County and its varied communities.
• Personal integrity and uncontroversial merit.
• No current involvement in party politics.
• The likelihood that the nomination will gain wide approval across the County as a recipient of the award.

IMAGES OF THE SPIRIT OF KENT AWARD ARE AVAILABLE HERE

The unique design has been produced by Nigel Cousins, of Kent jewellers and silversmiths T & B Cousins & Sons Ltd., of Sun Street, Canterbury.

The Civic Service and The Spirit of Kent Award and associated presentation ceremony will be funded in perpetuity by the Allan Willett Foundation and there will be no cost whatsoever to public funds.

The Spirit of Kent Award