Cornwall pub owner awarded for helping local community throughout the pandemic

Tracey Fleming has been providing takeaway services and doorstep delivery parcels

Author: Sarah YeomanPublished 10th Mar 2021
Last updated 10th Mar 2021

A woman from Cornwall has been praised for how she helped her local community during the coronavirus pandemic.

Tracey Fleming runs the 'Who'd Have Thought It Inn' in St Dominick, near Saltash.

She had dedicated her time during the Covid crisis to providing takeaway services and doorstep delivery parcels to those shielding and self-isolating.

She has also been trying to raise the morale of the village, by organising treats and socially-distanced events to get involved in.

Now Tracey been presented with a Census 2021 Community Hero award.

In a year like no other, 22 unique purple plaques, one for each census that has taken place to date, have been awarded to community heroes up and down the country.

With census day just around the corner, ordinary people are being celebrated for the extraordinary contributions they have made, and to highlight how census data helps to build better communities. From volunteering during the pandemic, to supporting those with mental health issues, the winners have made an amazing difference during a difficult time.

The competition which received hundreds of entries across England and Wales, has awarded Tracey Fleming for dedication to her community in Cornwall.

“I am truly grateful to have received the Census 2021 Community Hero Award, amongst the hundreds of entries that were submitted. The pandemic has meant that so many of us have faced hardship, I wanted to do what I can to support the people who needed it most within my community.”

Tracey Fleming, Who'd Have Thought It Inn

The entries were judged by a panel of noteworthy community champions, led by actress and presenter, Joanna Page.

Joanna Page commented: “I am honoured to have been a judge on the Census 2021 community hero awards panel. It was such a pleasure to read through all the amazing entries. In what has been a difficult year for so many of us, this was a great opportunity to say thank you to the people who go above and beyond to serve their local community.”

Iain Bell, ONS Deputy National Statistician, commented: “It has been incredible to see the reaction from local communities for this award which resulted in hundreds of entries across England and Wales. This is testament to just how many incredible people are doing amazing things, and how during this difficult year we have seen the best come out in people. We can all do something, however big or small, to help those around us.”

The census, taking place on 21st March 2021, will shed light on the needs of different groups and communities, and the inequalities people are experiencing, ensuring the big decisions facing the country following the pandemic and EU exit are based on the best information possible.

It will inform decisions nationally and locally on vital services and issues. Ultimately it ensures millions of pounds are invested in emergency services, mental health care, school places, hospital beds, houses, roads, GPs and dentists’ services - all based on the information people provide.

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