I recall the past three winners very well. There was the amazing Win Sankey, who in her 80th year was still coaching the youngsters at Fakenham Infants' School in footballing skills. A regular supporter of Norwich City, she's only recently called it a day with the under-sevens.

Then there was Joanne Robotham whose role as a special constable involved hundreds of volunteer hours policing the streets of Fakenham, mainly in the evenings and at weekends. She has since become a full-time police community support officer based here.

And last year's winner was the redoubtable Sylvia Howell whose commitment to the East Anglian Air Ambulance has been incredible.

Through the shop behind the cinema and many fundraising events, Sylvia and her cohort of volunteers have managed to raise many thousands of pounds for the charity.

So what has prevented the emergence of a top volunteer in 2008? There are plenty of them out there but so far no-one has been put forward to the council.

This is Brenda Coldrick's last month as mayor and it's usual for the award to be presented by the outgoing leader. Nothing was said at the April council meeting so perhaps it's just not going to happen.

A great pity and not something which will please former mayor Alan Tickle who initiated the award when he stepped down from the council four or five years ago.

• There was a lovely gathering at The Maltings Care Home in Norwich Road to mark the 100th birthday of Marjorie Harris.

The magazine Athletics Weekly carried an article about her speculating whether she might just be England's oldest living international athlete. I wouldn't be surprised.

Competing for her club and country in the 1920s and 1930s at high jump she garnered many cups and medals, just missing out at the 1934 Empire Games held at the White City stadium in London where she came fifth.

Until recently Marjorie lived on her own at the Fayre Green protected homes estate and, despite being partially-sighted, could regularly be seen making her own way into town. Recent health setbacks have obliged a move across the road to The Maltings but she remains an alert and impressive lady.

• Watching the stuttering progress of the Olympic torch across London was a sharp reminder, if we needed it, that politics and sport are interwoven.

As a student at the former Borough Road College in London I recall writing essays on this very topic and examples of conflict from around the world were not difficult to find.

In one instance I could draw on my own experience. I was in Mexico City for the 1968 Olympics when student demonstrations were brutally suppressed before the Olympic flame had even arrived to open the event.

And then in the main athletics arena, American athlete Tommy Smith held his arm aloft in a black power salute during the playing of his country's national anthem following his victory in the 200 metres final.

It was an unequivocal civil rights protest against racism in his own land which got him and fellow athlete John Carlos expelled from the Games.

From what we've seen so far, the current torch relay representing a symbol of peace is having anything but a pacific journey on its long way across to China.