Jessica Gripton

Mrs Gripton served as a magistrate for 29 years and has taught people to read , but her main contribution has been in Sport. Mrs Gripton was secretary of Halesowen and president of Haden Hill Swimming Club. For the past 35 years, she has been the Junior organiser and Secretary of Old Hill Tennis Club. She has spent hours encouraging youngsters to play and still organises and takes people to matches. She was also secretary of the Wolverhampton league. When the club house burnt down, she led the campaign to rebuild it and rejuvenate the club. Her roles over the years are too numerous to mention and recently she was honoured with an award from Sandwell Council . Mrs Gripton is now 80 years old but remains as enthusiastic and committed as ever. What makes her extra special and deserving of the honour, is that she cannot swim and has never hit a ball!Her effort is for others benefit.