Manjit Rattan - January winner

Mrs Manjit Rattan has done a considerable amount of voluntary work for Asian women in and around Wyken and Stoke Heath.

She encouraged members of the Monday Asian Women's Group at St Paul's Church, to build their self confidence then taught them to play the Dholki, a traditional musical instrument.

She then set up the Subrang group, for isolated women of all ages, ethnicity and background, which meets every Thursday and has proved very successful. She also attends Gurdwaras in Coventry, singing hymns in her beautiful, soul-touching voice.

Manjit has been involved for many years with Coventry Carer Centre, supporting the service users and their families as well as the organisers.

Her greatest quality is the unconditional support that she gives to her colleagues whenever they need it. For many years she has helped to organise events like Diwali Day and A World Mental Health Day.

Manjit Rattan deserves to be named as a Coventry Good Citizen.

John Moore - March winner

John Moore has given long, consistent and significant voluntary service in the development of Coventry's image in overseas relations.

He has been a member of the Coventry Association of International Friends (CAIF) for nearly 25 years, being secretary for many years, organising two-way links and visits with some of Coventry's twinned cities, including Dresden (of particular note in this year the 50th anniversary of the twinning of these two cities) Volgograd and Kiel, and friendship cities Meschede and Vannes.

He works constantly to uphold the city's reputation as a centre for peace and reconciliation throughout the world, through his untiring, patient and calm encouragement of everyone he meets. He is also a dedicated campaigner in community relations involving Coventry's ethnic groups.
 
John's service to the city has been outstanding over a long and sustained period and he fully deserves to be called a Good Citizen of Coventry.

Chris Roddis - June winner

Chris Roddis has raised thousands of pounds over a 20-year period for a variety of charitable causes, including Myton Hospice, Cancer Research and hospital psychiatric and stroke units.

Chris has also made raised money to pay for a special wheelchair for a young boy to continue his education at Corpus Christie School. On another occasion, she provided a voice box for a child at Sherbourne Fields School. 

She has organised various fundraising events, including a charity ball, garden parties, and golf days to help others.

Chris has gone through the pain barrier herself, having suffered two strokes and lost close relatives, but she continues to work hard, raising cash and always putting others first.

She is always cheerful, is selfless and deserves to receive the Good Citizen Award.

Joe Elliott - September winner

Joe Elliott has put in considerable time and effort on behalf of the city of Coventry.

He has been connected with Coventry City FC in various roles since 1985. Due to his determination and hard work he saved the Sky Blues from folding in 2008, working 18 hours a day for several months to make sure that the club was saved to play Championship football.

He has been a board member of the Transport Museum since 1991 and chairman since 1999, was founder chairman of A1 motor stores group and is a governor at All Saints Church of England primary school, and is also linked with many other Coventry organisations.

He is involved with many charities, including Baby Lifeline, NSPCC and the Royal National Institute for the Blind on a national level. He is also supportive of local charities - notably Myton Hospice and Coundon Care Centre.

Known as 'Mr Coventry' for his endless enthusiasm and generosity, he lives and breathes for the city of Coventry. He works tirelessly seven days a week for a city of which he is extremely proud.
 
He can deservedly claim to be a Good Citizen of Coventry.

ECHO Production Team - October winner

The ECHO (Earlsdon Chapelfields Hearsall Opinion) community newspaper was first published in April 1979 and is printed 11 times a year.

It is produced by a regular team of volunteers, but also welcomes material from local people and organisations. The team believes that the essence of a community newspaper is that it is open to anyone who has a contribution to make.

The team writes the articles, manages the advertising, deals with the distribution and sales to over 20 outlets and also gives talks in other parts of the city to groups and organisations about the ECHO.

The newspaper provides a source of information, comment and entertainment to the Earlsdon, Chapelfields, Hearsall and Spon End districts of Coventry. 

The ECHO is produced entirely by volunteers as a non-profit making service to the community, being independently financed through sales and advertising.

This team of volunteers deserve to be called Good Citizens of Coventry, especially in this their 30th year of publication.

Betty Pattison - December winner

Betty Pattison, affectionately known as 'Miss Pat', founded Pattison College in 1949 with just 15 pupils and four teachers. Since then the school complement has increased tenfold and in 2008 was recognised by Ofsted as an 'Outstanding Independent School'.

She gained her love of dance from her father, who taught ballroom dancing in the family home. She started teaching ballet at 16, and later taught many other forms of dance. Her school takes children from the age of three and specialises in the performing arts.

Miss Pattison's students have performed in significant events in Coventry through the years, including: the VJ celebrations in the Drill Hall; at the Battle of Britain celebrations in the Sibree Hall; at the inauguration of Coventry Cathedral in the presence of the Queen; at the Pageant of the history of Coventry in the War Memorial Park; and at the first ever Royal Show at Stoneleigh.

She encouraged the talents of many aspiring actors and her former pupils have pursued different and varied careers and include Kerys Nathan, Michael Jackson's choreographer; actor Richard Armitage of North and South, Robin Hood and Spooks; and Robert Lisle and James Boyce, both serving in the Parachute Regiment.

All her former pupils remember Miss Pat with fondness and recall her favourite line of encouragement, 'There's no such word as can't!'

She was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Warwick and a lifetime achievement award by the International Dance Teachers' Association. She is held in high esteem by others far and wide but Betty will always be remembered as a longstanding asset to this city.