We meet a Shropshire man who has been giving up his time voluntarily for many many years and even though he's just turned 90 today he is still helping people.
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00:00Hello sir, how are you doing?
00:01I'm doing fine, thank you, Steve.
00:02So introduce yourself, we're at Malls Farm Shop and you are?
00:05My name is Raymond Bullock.
00:07So a bit of a special event, isn't it? A birthday event and it's a double event.
00:12Yeah, yeah.
00:13A presentation of the High Sheriff of Croftshire.
00:14So who's getting the accolade today?
00:17The accolade is going to Brian Draycott, who's served a number of years with the Citizens Advice Bureau,
00:25namely 14 years, voluntary, no payment whatsoever.
00:30He also started off as a young lad teaching young footballers at the Bricklayers Arms Social Club
00:39and he was under the guidance of the Shrewsbury professional manager, Sir Alf Ramsey,
00:47along with numerous people who trained and they became to play for Sheffield Wednesday,
00:53Sheffield United, Wellington Town and Shrewsbury Town.
00:57Namely his brother John Draycott and also his other brother, Ken Draycott.
01:02So he's been a busy man, isn't he?
01:03He's been extremely busy.
01:05Mr John, today wasn't quite done in this way, but I've done quite a few of these
01:10and I sometimes feel like a menanger, but I did put a curtain on the door to present people
01:17in the middle of whatever it is they do with these High Sheriff's Recognition Awards
01:23and I'll just read out what it says.
01:25This award was made by the High Sheriff of Shropshire to Brian Draycott
01:29in recognition of the great and valuable services to the community.
01:33The award also recognises the appreciation of the residents and people of the St. High Sheriff's County
01:38for activity and contribution to the quality of life of the community.
01:43Dated 27th March 2025.
01:46So I'd like to present this to you.
01:48I've also got a High Sheriff's pin badge, so there you go.
01:52Congratulations.
02:01Hooray!
02:06Brian Draycott, congratulations, sir.
02:09Thank you, thank you very much.
02:10I mean, firstly on your 90th birthday, what's the secret?
02:13You're looking fantastic for 90th.
02:15I've got a very good wife, she looks after me really well.
02:19Yeah, and that helps.
02:21So you've just been given your award by the High Sheriff of Shropshire, how does it feel
02:27to kind of have that little pat on the back and the acknowledgement?
02:30It's amazing, it's nice to be recognised.
02:32Although I've been doing this job for 30 years.
02:3515 years with the Citizens Advice.
02:3815 years when I retired from them.
02:40And I just really love helping people.
02:43And you're still at it aren't you?
02:44So what sort of stuff are you still doing now then?
02:47I've got a couple of Blue Badge applications to do next week.
02:50And some attendance allowances to do the week afterwards.
02:54Which helps people because a lot of them had their winter fuel payment taken off them.
02:59But getting this benefit helps a lot, it makes up for it a bit.
03:04So you were a Thatcher, you ended up as a Thatcher.
03:08I ended up as a real Thatcher, before that I was a driving instructor.
03:12And that's a business you and your wife both ran isn't it?
03:15We both did it together and it was called the Penguin Driving School in Shrewsbury.
03:20And we did that for many many years.
03:22And when I retired from Thatching we carried on.
03:25So you've spent a lot of man hours helping people for no financial reward for yourself.
03:34Why is it? Is it something that was instilled in you by your parents?
03:39Like always do your bit?
03:41I think I've always done it because when I was 18 I joined the RAF and I went as a medic.
03:47That's helping people.
03:49When I came out of the RAF I went to work for the Royal Sergeant for me in Shrewsbury.
03:55I worked in the plaster room and that was helping people.
03:58Then I left there after 5 years, started up a driving school.
04:02That was helping people.
04:04This is it, I've always done it.
04:06Always done it.
04:08Has it given you, obviously you've put a lot of work into it,
04:11but do you get a sense of joy then that you find from helping people?
04:15Is that what it gives you?
04:16Yes, I really enjoy it and seeing them, especially when they've been given an award,
04:21a benefit or whatever, a blue badge, they're so grateful.
04:25Because the forms are so complicated and I'm used to form filling so it doesn't bother me.
04:31A lot of people will get a form and look at it, oh 47 questions.
04:36Yes, a lot of people automatically freeze don't they?
04:40I'm one of them.
04:42I might have to take your number.
04:47You've had a bit of lunch today.
04:49Yes, very nice.
04:51Any more celebrations for the rest of the day for your birthday?
04:54Tonight we're staying at home.
04:56My son and my granddaughter have come all the way from Malta to see me.
05:02We're having a night in.
05:04Tomorrow we're having a birthday party in Shrewsbury.
05:07Ah, fantastic.
05:09Well, on behalf of the Shropshire Star and everyone you've helped over the years,
05:13of which there will be many, thank you ever so much Brian.
05:17It's fully deserved and it's people like yourself that really do make a difference in our community.
05:23Thank you sir, thank you.