Community stalwart does everything from picking litter to cutting grass

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A dedicated community stalwart has been crowned Cumnock Citizen of the Year 2021.Tony Esquierdo, 69, of Logan, scooped the title for his work throughout the area which he proudly looks after and keeps community spirit in check.Tony, who was born and raised in Logan, has been Chairman of the Cronberry, Logan and Lugar Community Council since 2018 and also serves as a member of the 9 Community Councils Group.His busy schedule — which can sometimes see him working late into the evening — includes liaising with volunteers to carry out various jobs including grass cutting, litter picking, keeping pathways clean, and planting flowers, and advising community groups on grants they could be eligible for.He has also organised a packing and delivering shopping service for those unable to do so.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now on iOS and Android.Tony could not have been more shocked when Colin Chisholm, chairman of Keir McTurk Memorial Committee, told him he had received the honour.“I checked the calendar to make sure it wasn’t April 1,” he said.“But I was delighted.“I’ve got a fantastic team behind me, who work hard in the community.

So to me it’s for them, not for me.“They deserve a mention as much as I do.“It’s people like that who we depend on.”Cronberry, Logan and Lugar Community Council disbanded in 2017, prompting Tony to reconvene meetings in 2018 to take advantage of local wind farm