Irene and Herbert Grace present £1000 to the Witness Service at Bolton Crown
Court.
Front row, L-R: Irene Grace; Herbert Grace; Harry Dutton, Witness Service volunteer
Back row, L-R: Jean Blunt, Witness Service volunteer; Noel Spencer, Chair of Bolton at Home
15-MAY-07
A local couple who received national commendation for their courage to
stand up to a nuisance neighbour have donated a £1,000 prize to encourage
others not to tolerate antisocial behaviour.
Herbert and Irene Grace from Little Lever were among several residents from
Bolton who, in March, won a Respect Taking a Stand Award from the government
together with £1,000 to spend on community improvements.
Mr and Mrs Grace were recognised for overcoming intimidation to help Bolton
at Home secure the eviction of a neighbour responsible for repeated noise
nuisance and verbal abuse. They recorded incidents of antisocial behaviour
through diary sheets and even spent their 53-year wedding anniversary in
court, as witnesses, to do what they could to make a positive difference.
Choosing the Witness Service, based at Bolton Crown Court, as the recipient
for their £1,000 prize, Herbert Grace, said: “The Witness Service helped to
put us at ease during a difficult time and we are delighted to be able to
thank them in this way.”
Susan Mills, Manager of the Witness Service, added: “The Witness Service is
very honoured to receive this money. It is a pleasure to do our job and the
money will be put to good use in supporting residents brave enough to come
forward to give evidence which will protect our communities and make them
safer.”
Residents coming forward to gather evidence against offenders of antisocial
behaviour and appear in court as witnesses have helped Bolton at Home to
secure the evictions of several problem tenants in recent months.
Noel Spencer, Chair of Bolton at Home, said: “The Taking a Stand Award
winners have shown how everyone can have a role to play in tackling
antisocial behaviour. We hope this fantastic contribution by Mr and Mrs
Grace will encourage others to come forward and help us take action against
offenders.”
