A VILLAGE stalwart who is a friend to everyone has been recognised in a regional competition.
Frances Ann Johnson (68) is a former teacher who lives in Howden-le-Wear and who is involved in almost every area of village life. A Methodist Lay Preacher, she lives her life with Christian values and helps out wherever she can.
Frances Ann was nominated in the ‘Good Neighbour’ category of the Radio Tees ‘Make A Difference’ awards. There were scores of nominations and she was one of three short-listed where her story was told to an invited audience held at the famous ‘Globe Theatre in Stockton-on-Tees last night (Saturday). The evening was hosted by Radio Tees presenters, Amy Oakden and Scott Makin and others in the audience included Gladiator Bionic and Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson.
Although Frances Ann didn’t win, she was highly commended in her category and received an award. The judge in her category was Barnard Castle author, Anne Fine, who wrote the novel, which would be made into the film ‘Mrs Doubtfire’ starring the late Robin Williams.
Frances Ann has spent her life helping out at village events, including many of those involving the local, now redundant Methodist chapel. She transferred her allegiance and her energy to the Methodist church in Crook where she can be found not only at services and special events but every Tuesday, cooking and serving lunches.
She is a long-serving member of the Royal British Legion and has been a poppy seller for many years. She organises and attends the Remembrance Day events at North Bitchburn, Howden-le-Wear and Fir Tree where she also takes the services and lays wreaths.
Frances Ann is a member of the local WI, she is a home baking judge and attends the village Allotment Show every year and she is a member of the primary school Governing Body and a former Chairman. She is always on hand to help out at events and weekly group meetings in Howden-le-Wear Village Hall too and is always available to help out spiritually through her Methodism to act as a lay preacher, especially at local Christingle and other events, including memorial and funerals.
On top of all of that, Frances Ann is heavily involved in her own family affairs, helping out relatives, especially the children of the family. And there is so much more she does too – seven days a week, there is not a day goes by when she isn’t helping someone out. As her nominator put it – if there is something to do and she can do it, she does and without hesitation. She is the sounding board of the village of Howden-le-Wear and long may it continue.
Congratulations, Frances Ann – our own unsung heroine.
