Truro’s community stalwarts will be celebrated at a special ceremony on Friday in the Methodist Church at 6pm. Truro Civic Awards will see 17 recipients aged from eight to 93 rewarded for their efforts to make life better for everyone.

The event is organised jointly by Truro City Council and Truro Old Cornwall Society, and coordinated by Paul Caruana.

Among the adult recipients are two couples: town crier Lionel Knight and wife Carol, for their contribution to city life, and Truro in Bloom stalwarts Godfrey and Peggy Mortimore.

Three groups have been honoured, including a team of seven Police Special Constables, Truro Homeless Action Group and the Truro Old Boys fundraisers.

Two members of the Royal British Legion Truro branch have been nominated: Anne Kemp, who masterminds the annual Poppy Appeal, and Alan Beattie, who organises the veterans’ breakfast club.

Community stalwarts include Lesley Goodman and Helen Tiplady, both commended for their work in Malabar; Andrew Hall, for his efforts on the Penn an Dre estate in Highertown; and John Rowe, whose fairy houses delight families visiting Coosebean Woods.

Kelly Palmer is recognised for her volunteer work with Truro City Council’s Warm Welcome initiative, and Rosemary Ballard has been praised for her work with the Friends of Redannick House, arranging monthly activities for the elderly residents of the Cornwall Care home.

Two Sunny Corner volunteers have been recognised: Arthur Fitzgerald, the oldest award recipient at 93, and Pauline Westaway, a Malabar girl who now lives in Roche and makes regular 40-mile round trips to help with gardening at the site on the river between Truro and Malpas.

Teenager Harry Stoddern has received an award for his litter-picking efforts, while the youngest recipient, an eight-year-old boy, has not yet been named.

All are welcome at the ceremony, which starts at 6pm.