Congratulations to Sharon and her team for going the extra mile. This in from the Isle of Wight council, in their own words. Ed
The superintendent registrar of the Isle of Wight Council’s registrar service has won national recognition for the way she and her team helped couples in the aftermath of the Ryde Castle fire in March.
Sharon Crews has been given the Local Registration Services Association’s Individual Award, which is given to the person who makes a critical difference between a good service and an outstanding one.
Proactive help and support
The day after the fire devastated Ryde Castle on Saturday 17 March, Sharon and members of her team came into work and proactively contacted 20 couples who had ceremonies booked at the venue. Three of the couples were particularly distressed as they were due to have ceremonies within the next two weeks at the venue.
Sharon and her team gave advice and guidance and provided a list of alternative venues for each couple, determined to help them avoid having to cancel their weddings.
As a result, every couple found alternative venues in time for their weddings and no one had to cancel.
Not possible without help of colleagues
Speaking of the award, Sharon said “I was very surprised to receive a call from the registration service national representative body telling me I had been nominated and won the award.
“It would not have been possible without the help of my colleagues who also worked very hard to contact all affected couples that had ceremonies booked at Ryde Castle and I want to thank them.
“It is an honour to receive this recognition for reacting to the situation, especially as some of the marriages were within days of the fire happening. I always seek to offer the very best customer service and I felt it was the least we could do to assist.”
“Only right to nominate her”
Davina Fiore, the council’s deputy director for resources said “Having seen the work Sharon and her team put in following the terrible events at Ryde Castle, I and her manager felt it only right to nominate her for this award.
“It is very pleasing that Sharon has been recognised by the service’s national representative body, which gave a glowing testimony when awarding the recognition.”
“Fully deserved recognition”
Isle of Wight Council leader David Pugh said “Having got married myself in the last year, I know how stressful it can be planning your big day. I cannot begin to imagine the stress those couples went through who had ceremonies booked at Ryde Castle.
“It is testament to Sharon and her team’s efforts that those 20 couples found alternative venues and didn’t have to cancel. I send my congratulations to Sharon for receiving this fully deserved recognition.”
Image: © Isle of Wight Council
