THREE more recipients of the Dawlish OWL awards have been recognised by town councillors.

Paul Lentle, manager of the Strand Centre, and Heather and Bob Graham, who run the Dawlish  Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club, were presented with the Outstanding Awards for Loneliness by the mayor of Dawlish, Cllr Lisa Mayne, and Cllr Carole Tamlyn, chairman of the council’s mental health and suicide prevention group. 

Paul received his award for the work he has done at the centre and in heplping to set up the group Men In Sheds while going out of his way to help.

He was nominated by Peter Bilby, former scout leader and co-ordinator of the Dawlish Men In Sheds group.

Peter explained how Paul had helped during the Covid pandemic after realising how many people were isolated and lonely.

Peter said: ‘Paul, along with others in the community, saw that no one was ever forgotten or in need.’

Paul provided food parcels to the lonely who had no one to care for them, collected prescriptions and made numerous phone calls on their behalf.

Two years ago, Paul also noticed that many men in Dawlish were also feeling isolated, due to the restrictionss, and had nowhere to meet up to talk and share ideas and concerns.

Having shared his thoughts, Men In Sheds was born, supported by a successful grant application.

Peter gave an example of how on seeing a distressed elderly lady who visits the Strand Centre regularly had lost her walking stick, Paul went out and bought her a replacement with his own money.

Peter explained: ‘There have been so many acts of kindness which have been witnessed by me and many others.

‘This is a man who has time and patience for others, one who cares for those who are lonely and vulnerable and who has become a father figures, one who they can feel safe with and trust.

‘Paul is a genuine caring and honest person and one we can all be proud to say that he is a grue representative of the great town of Dawlish.’

Speaking after the presentation, Paul said: ‘At the Strand Centre, we watch out for everybody, we are a friendly place and a community within a community,.

‘Everyone here is a volunteer and we are very inclusive. It is a special place.’

Bob and Heather Graham started the Armed Forces Breakfast Club after hearing from their daughter who attended one near her home in Wiltshire.

She told them how the club’s members supported each other and enjoyed spending time together.

The couple said they thought it was worth trying and looked into setting a club up in Dawlish.

The first club was held in August at the Smugglers Inn which saw 59 veterans attend.

The Grahams said: The atmosphere was amazing and everyone enjoyed it.

‘This year we have had four breakfasts and all have been well attended.’

They received a grant from Dawlish Town Council to buy a banner and flag to promote the club.

In the summer, they hope to expanded and attend other events in Dawlish to further spread to work about the club and have used funds to print flyers.

They said: ‘We have had fantastic support from everyone that we have asked for help and are very grateful.

‘Our main aim is to ensure that no veteran in our area feels isolated and we hope everyone will help us to spread the word.

‘We will wear our OWL badges with pride.’ 

The OWL project was set up by the town council to address isolation and loneliness in Dawlish, particularly among the elderly and vulnerable. 

The awards recognise and celebrate individuals and groups which have made efforts to reduce loneliness and made a difference in the community. 

On the awards night the audience was enteratined with rock classics and Christmas songs by the Rock Waves singers, pictured below.