Ken honoured for 66 years of 'giving' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bankfoot vounteer Ken Tordoff recognised for lifetime of 'giving'

9:55am Thursday 7th October 2010 in Bankfoot By Hannah Baker

A dedicated volunteer who has helped communities in Bradford for more than six decades has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

Great-grandfather Ken Tordoff, 83, started volunteering as a Scoutmaster at St John’s Church in Little Horton aged 17.

He was presented with the award by the Bankfoot Partnership in recognition of his work at the Cube Community Centre, based at St Matthew’s Church in Carrbottom Road.

Mr Tordoff, of Rooley Close, Bankfoot, joined the church in 1959, following the closure of St John’s, where he had served as a Sunday school superintendent, treasurer and member of the parochial church council.

As well as being a warden at St Matthew’s, he has run the church’s Friendship Club for more than 20 years, helping provide entertainment and exercise classes for retired people.

Mr Tordoff, who was company secretary and director of wool merchant Henry Cullingworth before he retired, also helped plan the Cube centre, built five years ago, and is treasurer of the Faxfleet Residents’ Association, which forms part of the Bankfoot Partnership.

The pensioner, who will celebrate his diamond wedding anniversary to wife Ivy, also a keen volunteer, in January, said: “I have made tremendous friendships.

“I think people are either givers or takers and I’m a giver. I’m amazed to receive the award. I never thought this would happen to me. You do it for the pleasure you get out of it, not for any sort of reward.”

Ian Brewer, community development worker for the partnership, who presented Mr Tordoff with his award at an event for the centre’s volunteers at the Guide Post Hotel, said: “For me, Ken shares of himself with the community and draws others to get involved. He is a role model of volunteering.

“We have volunteers from St Matthew’s church, Faxfleet Residents Association and the Bankfoot Community.

“It’s a mix of men and women, young and old and it is my privilege to co-ordinate this group of giving people.”