There were 12 local people nominated for the Mendip District Council award, which is now its second year. Marion Dodson from Litton was the winner in 2005 - she also beat 12 other residents to the award. The winner receives £1,000 to distribute to local organisations of his or her choice. It was the current Mayor of Frome, Karen Harvey, together with other local people, who put the Jock Garland's name forward. "Jock has been a pillar of his community and unsung hero for 22 years," she said. "The number of organisations and individuals he has supported is endless, and all would agree that recognition of this kind is long overdue. | "We asked for a resident who has made a unique contribution to community life in Mendip. That ideally sums up Jock Garland." | | Cllr Ken Maddock |
"Many of his friends and colleagues, whether they be fellow volunteers, councillors or just ordinary people who have been touched by his generosity of support wish him well in his retirement. "Where will we find such a citizen as he again?" The judges were David Thomson, Chief Executive of Mendip District Council, and Cllr Ken Maddock, Leader of the Council. "We had 12 people nominated from across the district, the same number as last year," David Thomson said. "Some were put forward by parish councils, others by groups of individuals or community organisations. "Once again there were many worthy and hard-working people nominated, people giving of their time to run or support community groups. "We asked for people whose 'get up and go' inspired others; that was certainly the case with all of the 12 individuals." Cllr Maddock added: "All of those nominated were outstanding. "It was the number of organisations that Jock Garland had been linked to over so many years, the huge commitment of time he has given, and the host of people involved in those groups who have benefited from his support that influenced our final decision. "We asked for a resident who has made a unique contribution to community life in Mendip. That ideally sums up Jock Garland." The list of organisations which Mr Garland has supported in the last 45 years since arriving in Frome, and listed by Karen Harvey in her nomination letter reads like a Frome directory: from the ATC and the Youth Club through to the Merlin Theatre, Twinning Group, British Legion and many others. Jock Garland is just about to celebrate his 81st birthday. When he was told of the award, he said with a smile: "The trouble is, I've found it very hard to say to say no to people, if I've got the time."
 | | Jock with Frome ATC - one of many groups he helped |
Born in Dundee, he was working for a company in Surrey at the age of 34, when a friend got involved with an engineering business in Somerset, which became the first factory on the trading estate in Frome. "I was asked to be chief inspector of the factory, and that was it. "I was told by some in Surrey that I would find the folk of Somerset unfriendly, but nothing could have been further from the truth. "I was greeted and treated in this town very, very nicely. "The company was involved in manufacturing aircraft parts, and that was the link to the Air Training Corps which I ended up commanding for 20 years. "I saw four of five of my cadets go into the Air Force and reach high office; that is one of the achievements I value most highly. "Then a great friend was the RNLI chairman and he got me involved in that. "As a former Scots Guard, I was always supporting The British Legion and about 10 years ago was asked to become local president." And so the list of organisations continues. There's Frome Youth Centre (where he still helps out), Frome's Twinning Association (Jock first got involved when he was Mayor of Frome for the first time in 1986), supporting the elderly at Rowden House and Critchill Court, the Catherine Hill Traders Association, and the Merlin Theatre. Jock was one of the organisers of an event in 1974 which raised thousands and meant that plans could be put in place to build the Merlin. And Jock is a man to roll up his sleeves. Together with his wife, Marion, they ran the bar at the Merlin for many years. Through his great friend Owen Hillier, who also nominated Jock for the Citizen award, he started to help out at the Citizens' Advice Bureau. Then there is support for Critchill School, the Army Cadet Force and being a governor of St John's School. "Behind every man is a great woman. Marion has been my diary keeper and my constant supporter. "I could not have helped so many groups if it had not been for her." They have a son and daughter and grandchildren. Jock also spent 19 years as a town councillor, including two spells as mayor, as well as 12 years with Mendip District Council and 12 with Somerset County Council. "I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it - I liked helping people. "I would bump into folk in the street and they would tell me the problems and I would try to sort them out. People just want someone to listen to them." | 
