The award was an idea of Tamsyn's just four days before she passed away aged 80 at her home on September 18, 2017, after battling cancer.

A new community award has been launched in honour of a much-loved leader who left an indelible mark on her town.

The Tamsyn Imison Award for Halesworth Community Project of the year was launched on Tuesday at an event held at Halesworth Library.

The award was first mooted as an idea of Tamsyn's, just four days before she died last year.

Michael Imison, Tamsyn's husband, said: 'Around 40 people turned up for drinks, nibbles and three speeches.

'She would be so pleased to see the award in the cabinet, the council have said they will take over the award if I ever decided to step down.'

Mrs Imison died, aged 80, at her home on September 18 and was known for her gardening, artwork and work in comprehensive schools.

She started her career as a scientific illustrator but went into teaching in 1972, a profession she continued for nearly 30 years.

Between 1984 and 2000, she was headteacher of Hampstead Comprehensive School in north London.

In 1998 she was made a Dame for her contribution to education in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

In 2005 she moved to Halesworth with husband Michael, and ran Halesworth in Bloom and achieved many gold and special awards including, Best Small Town in East Anglia, and a first Green Flag award for the town park.

She was also a passionate advocate for comprehensive schooling and creativity in learning.

Mr Imison said: 'My wife used to talk about the in Bloom awards and how they never had anything for volunteer organisations, our daughter then asked why she didn't make her own award, so that's what she did.

'My wife rang Lesley Pyke and commissioned her to create the trophy, it has been made out of special crystals dated back to 400BC, so it shouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon.'

To be up for the award you need to be a volunteer organisation and be nominated by more than two people who live within five miles of Halesworth Church

A panel of three judges will then choose which organisation is 'most worthy' of recognition.

Nomination forms can be found and handed in at Halesworth library and town hall.

Forms can also be downloaded from the town council's website.

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