Penzance Ceremony Honours Local Heroes – See Who Took Home the Awards

Published On: 21 May 2025Last Updated: 21 May 2025By CornishStuff

📷 Petty Officer Juliet Scanlon, Mayor’s Cadet Thomas Kirk, Town Clerk James Hardy, Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds, Citizen of the Year Vernon Durrant, Humphry Davy Prize winner Isla Mulholland, Young Citizen of the Year Jack James. The 45th Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony of Penzance Council held in St John's Hall, Penzance, on Monday 19 May 2025. Photo by Penzance Council

Community awards mark Mayor’s historic re-election at 45th Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony

The remarkable efforts of local residents were recognised at a special ceremony in Penzance on Monday, 19th May, as the town celebrated its 45th Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony. The event, held at St John’s Hall, also marked a significant milestone for Councillor Stephen Reynolds, who was re-elected as Mayor of Penzance for a third consecutive term – a first in 60 years.

Citizen of the Year: Vernon Durrant

📷Citizen of the Year Vernon Durrant. The 45th Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony of Penzance Council held in St John's Hall, Penzance, on Monday 19 May 2025. Photo by Penzance Council

Vernon Durrant was named Citizen of the Year for his decades of commitment to the Royal British Legion. A member for over 50 years, Vernon has played a key role in supporting the Heamoor branch, helping to raise Poppy Appeal sales from £3,500 to £22,808.45 in recent years.

The award is part of the Brian Spiegelhalter Citizen of the Year Awards, which were established in 2004 by the family of the late Brian Spiegelhalter, a former Mayor of Penzance, to honour people making outstanding contributions to the Parish community.

Young Citizen of the Year: Jack James

📷Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds with Young Citizen of the Year winner Jack James. The 45th Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony of Penzance Council held in St John's Hall, Penzance, on Monday 19 May 2025. Photo by Penzance Council

This year’s Young Citizen of the Year is 11-year-old Jack James. Jack completed a 12-hour Drum-a-thon at Humphry Davy School to raise money for cancer charities, inspired by his mum Dawn’s diagnosis with breast cancer.

Both Vernon and Jack were presented with an engraved pewter plate provided by BJ Spiegelhalter & Son.

Humphry Davy Prize: Isla Mulholland

📷Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds with Humphry Davy Prize winner Isla Mulholland. The 45th Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony of Penzance Council held in St John's Hall, Penzance, on Monday 19 May 2025. Photo by Penzance Council

Penwith College student Isla Mulholland received the Humphry Davy Prize, awarded each year to a student showing excellence in the sciences and a ‘spirit of discovery.’ Isla was recognised for her strong academic performance and her ambition to use STEM skills in innovative wildlife conservation work.

New Sea Cadet for 2025/26

📷Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds with Mayor's Cadet Thomas Kirk. The 45th Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony of Penzance Council held in St John's Hall, Penzance, on Monday 19 May 2025. Photo by Penzance Council

Sea Cadet Thomas Kirk was officially named the Mayor’s Sea Cadet for 2025/26. Thomas received his badge of office, which he will wear while representing the town at civic events throughout the coming year.

Mayor: “We have an amazing spirit of togetherness”

After being re-elected for a historic third term, Stephen Reynolds told guests at the ceremony:
“Yes, we do have challenges in our community; we have food poverty, we have a housing crisis, but we also have an amazing community spirit, and an amazing spirit of togetherness which is embodied in this room tonight.”

Annual Town Meeting set for 29th May

With the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Civic Deputies now in place, Penzance Council is inviting residents to the Annual Town Meeting at St John’s Hall at 7pm on Thursday, 29th May. The meeting will include presentations on key topics such as Market House, Anti-Social Behaviour and the Sustainable Travel Network, followed by a public Q&A session.