Mark Portsmouth

Mark has been chairman of the local village Cricket Club for over 20 years. He is also the key person in the day to day running of the club, representing the face of the club. He goes to the club daily before work, during his lunch time and after work, rarely getting home before 10. He works in all roles, with the various age groups and has also recently become the licensee for the club.

The Senior team has, this year, achieved a place in the Welsh Premier league, bringing teams from all over Wales to play, attracting new people to the area and brining business to the community. The Junior teams attract children from the local community, providing a safe and disciplined environment.

He helps supervise the training sessions in the evenings and is there again for the matches, both in league and cup games. His non physical input is the support he gives to the fundsraising activities. He is regularly gaining donations of raffle prizes for both the club itself and the other charities they support.

Although he is well known by all local people, very few people realise how much he gives to the community because they only see a part of the whole picture. Receiving official recognition would not just give Mark something to be proud of, but the whole team and the entire community. Mark is someone who prefers to give rather than receive and as such is normally taken for granted and overlooked with regard to his contribution to the community. He should be recognised.