Each year Ravenshead and Blidworth Rotary seeks to recognise an individual or group in the community that has consistently made a valuable contribution that is not widely recognised.

Rotarians aim to highlight these efforts at a special presentation evening.

In November, BJ Bakery on Mansfield Road, Blidworth, was the recipient of the Citizens Of The Year award for its commitment and service to the community, including an annual Christmas appeal to help the homeless.

Owners Mark and Beverley Gilmartin said: “We’d like to thank all the people who nominated us, the Rotary club for the award, and, of course, all the wonderful people we’ve worked with over the years who have helped us.

“It was heartwarming to realise that people put us forward for our meals on wheels service, the holiday helping hands, our charity work, and our meals for the homeless.

“We couldn’t have done any of it without the support of our customers and the lovely people in Blidworth and Rainworth who make it all possible. Thank you all.”

The Rotary club said it was making the award to mark the service and commitment the bakery gives to the local communities around its premises in Blidworth, which it has occupied for the last 16 years.

“BJ Bakery have supported their community in a number of ways,” Rotarians said. “They see this support for the less fortunate as a way of paying back, saying thank you for using their business.

“The community has benefitted from the work BJ Bakery has committed to and our award is just a small thank you for its work.”

Mark and Beverley Gilmartin, of BJ Bakery, are pictured holding their award from Ravenshead and Blidworth Rotary, watched by Rotn Mick Lee (left) and vice-president Rotn Dave Lewis.