Sidmouth Rotary Club and Sidmouth Town Council hosted an award ceremony to honour the Citizen of the Year for 2023.

The ceremony took place at The Victoria Hotel.

Angela Carney was awarded Citizen of the Year 2023, recognising her years of dedication as the Salvation Army community development manager.

Sidmouth Rotary Club president, Vic Clarke, along with chair of the Town Council, Cllr Chris Lockyear, presented her with the certificate and an engraved Dartington vase.

The Citizen of the Year is a title bestowed every year by the Sidmouth Rotary Club in association with the Sidmouth Herald.

The accolade celebrates residents who have significantly improved town life during the previous year.

The Rotary Club president and chair of the Town Council both highlighted Ms Carney's extensive contribution to multiple community activities.

Their tributes highlighted her work with the Community drop-in Club and Craft Club at the Youth and Community Centre, the weekly lunch club during school summer holidays, Bumps and Babies session at Primley Church Hall, and the widely frequented Sidmouth Repair Café.

Ms Carney's recognition will continue beyond this ceremony as her name will be inscribed on the Board of Honour at the Town Council offices.

Sidmouth Herald: The ceremony took place at The Victoria Hotel

On receipt of the award, Angela Carney said: "I am somewhat embarrassed to be selected again after husband Mick and I won this award a few years ago for setting up the Christmas Day lunch for those on their own.

"Having moved here from London in 1988, I feel fully rooted in the Sidmouth Community and all the great people who work so hard behind the scenes to make this such a wonderful place.

"My faith and lived experience lead me to believe that we need each other, and that a great community happens when we all contribute and share.

"People give of their best when they do what comes naturally to them and there are so many opportunities in Sidmouth for people to contribute".

She continued: "I feel really honoured to receive this award and it makes me realise that I need to do more to nominate the quiet people next year who give so much behind the scenes.

"So thank you to the people who nominated me and to the Sidmouth Herald and Sidmouth Rotary for organising the nomination process."