Top county award for Yapton conservationist

Joanna Williams was named the Sussex Heritage Person of the Year by the Sussex Heritage Trust.

She was chosen for her hard work in preserving the history of the Five Villages.

Between 1993 and earlier this year, she was the inaugural secretary of the Arun district conservation area advisory committee. Her membership of the committee continues with its work of considering planning applications as well as planning policies.

A highly visible aspect of the committee's work is the popular biennial design award handed out to recognise good developments.

Mrs Williams is also a longstanding member of the active amenity group, the Five Villages Society.

She is church warden of St Mary's at Yapton and at St Andrew's in Ford where she was heavily involved in an award winning renovation.

Time is also found by Mrs Williams to be a founder member of the Arundel Swimming Pool Trust which saved the open air site from closure.