Richard Cole - July winner
His Honour Richard Cole was the Resident Judge at the Crown Court in Coventry from 1992 until his retirement in 2007.
He was appointed the Honorary Recorder of the City of Coventry in 1999, reinstating an important and historic link between the civic authority and the judiciary. Over the years in this office, he became an integral part of the Council, loved and respected by all members for his enthusiasm, impartiality, engagement and, above all, his commitment to the city and its people.
Whether it was in his role as the Resident Judge in court or in less formal addresses he gave to community groups and residents' associations he always upheld the reputation of the city.
In 1995 he became a prominent member of a committee to raise funds for the BioMedical Research Institute at Warwick University. The committee was responsible for raising over £6 million, allowing new laboratories to be built on the Warwick University site.
At the conclusion of the fundraising in 2004, Richard was appointed Chairman of Coventry and Warwick Medical Research Fund which continues to raise money to help doctors and scientists of the highest calibre to work together on research projects with a direct bearing on standards of healthcare not only regionally but also nationally.
In his retirement Richard gives time to organisations which cross the Warwickshire and Coventry boundary; for example, Independent Advocacy, a charitable organisation that promotes and supports representation for people disadvantaged by disability, illness or social or economic circumstances, of which he is President.
In his role as Honorary Recorder he helped in the setting up of the Good Citizen Award. It is only fitting that he too should be described as a Good Citizen of the City of Coventry.