TIM Mattocks has been named as Salcombe Town Council’s ‘citizen of the year’ for 2016.

Tim is the chair of the Salcombe Minibus, and has been instrumental in providing the vital service for the past seven years.

Salcombe Minibus was established some forty years ago to provide and run an adapted minibus for the transport of disabled, elderly and frail residents.

Started by Salcombe Town Council, it evolved into an independent organisation with charitable status, but not a registered charity.

Over the past 18 months, Tim has developed the organisation into a fully registered charity - a change which is vital to comply with new regulations and retain its bus operator’s licence. Without the licence, the service would cease to exist.

The Salcombe Minibus provides six shopping trips to Kingsbridge and other locations every month. Volunteer drivers and couriers assist passengers, some of whom are wheelchair bound, by carrying goods from the shop to the bus and from the bus to their doors.

‘The couriers also check that the resident is OK, if there is no reply when we call,’ Tim said.

Most journeys are within the South Hams, but trips are also made further afield to Dartmoor, Tavistock and Newton Abbot for example.

About 60 people use the minibus and for many, it’s their only chance to get out and about and make contact with others.

‘It’s more of a social club on wheels, or a green house when we visit a garden centre!’ Tim said.

With many steep hills in Salcombe, the minibus makes an important weekly journey around the town to give people access to local shops, the Post Office, the chemists, the bank, the over 60’s day centre and the health centre.

The minibus also takes residents to the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service lunches at the rugby club and then back home, often via North Sands to take in some fresh sea air.

Tim began driving the Salcombe Minibus in 2010, and has been chairman of the committee since 2014.

He was born in Norfolk, and grew up in Nailsea. After graduating in physics from the University of Birmingham, he taught in a VI form college, before embarking on a career in the defence industry.

Later, he took a management position testing vehicle fleets for the Ford Motor Company in Essex and Koln. He has lived in Salcombe for the past 12 years.

Tim is also the stage construction manager for Salcombe Players, and helps out with DIY repairs for senior citizens in the town - fixing door handles, curtain tracks and anything else he can get his hands on.

Cllr Mike Fice, Salcombe’s town mayor said: ‘It’s not just a question of being chairman of the committee, he’s also involved in the maintenance of the minibus.

‘And this year, he’s put an awful lot of effort into changing the status of the committee to that of a charitable institution - ensuring it can continue for years to come.

‘Salcombe Minibus is a vital lifeline to many in the community, and Tim’s role has been recognised by many people in the town.

‘He was nominated by ten people, and the nomination was specifically for all the time and effort he puts into ensuring the Salcombe Minibus runs in such an efficient way.’

Cllr Fice added: ‘I’m on the minibus committee, and Tim does so much, Without him, I suspect it wouldn’t run.’

Tim added: ‘I am very honoured to be recognised as there are a great deal of people in Salcombe who give up their time, and volunteer to help the community.

‘Without all these people’s hard work, frankly there wouldn’t be such a strong sense of community in Salcombe.’

Tim will be presented with his award at the town’s civic lunch on Sunday, October 16.

Cllr Fice added: ‘Following a civic service, we host a lunch, invite representatives of voluntary organisations in the town to join us and present the citizen of the year with their award.

‘It’s a way of saying thank you to all those who give their time to the town.’