In praise of extraordinary ord

AMONG the many joys of working in newspapers is the variety of the job.

While often rubbing shoulders with the great and the good, it's much more satisfying to meet and be able to tell the stories of ordinary people who sometimes do extraordinary things.

Take, for example, Dot and Bernard Martin, who live near Cowley Bridge.

How many of us have driven past their home and seen the mannequin in their front garden, always dressed for the occasion, be it Wimbledon, Valentine's Day, Remembrance Day Valentino Replica or Christmas? It never failed to raised a smile - except, of course, when the original shop dummy was stolen six years ago.

Undeterred, the couple found a replacement and continued to bring a little pleasure into so many lives.

So it is with some sadness that we report on Page 8 today that the mannequin is joining Dot and Bernard, now both in their 80s, in retirement.

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May we wish all three the very best, and thank them for the smiles.

Another of those extraordinary ordinary people is Hugh Scudder, director of local charity Christian Response. For a number of years he has been a tireless fundraiser for, and champion of, the people of Moldova, and has always been incredibly well supported by Express & Echo readers.

Among his many successes was the treatment provided in the UK for young Vasiliy Paliy, who lost his lower arms in an accident, and little Timi Ignatuic, who was helped to walk after being disabled since birth.

More recently, Hugh had been trying to help 20-year-old Dmitrii Potapov, who was paralysed after a brutal attack in Moscow. Tragically, as we report on Page 14 today, Dmitrii has died. Hugh has pledged to carry on supporting the young Christian Louboutin Flats man's family. We know he will not be deterred in his good work, and are sure he will continue to be supported by our readers.

The Echo has, of course, for many years now run its popular Bouquet of the Week feature, in which we are happy to highlight the normally unsung heroes of the city and beyond.

Yesterday, we honoured Malcolm Pomeroy, who has worked as a volunteer for Hospiscare for a quarter of a century. On being presented with his bouquet he immediately thought of others, asking if there was anyone in the Exeter hospice who did not have fresh flowers that night.

Amid all the doom and gloom of the economy and government spending cuts, it's refreshing to spend a moment or two thinking about those who selflessly and tirelessly give of themselves to help others in many ways, large and small.

So thank you Dot and Bernard, thank you Hugh, thank you Malcolm and thank you all the other fantastic people out there who make life that little bit better for everyone else.

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