Brentwood Borough Council has announced the winners of the 2023 Civic Awards, honouring individuals, organisations and clubs for their service and dedication to the community. The awards, which were sponsored by Axis, were presented at the Civic Dinner on Friday 5 April at the Mount Avenue Banqueting Suite in Hutton.
The winners of the 2023 Civic Awards are:
Service to the Community:
- Brentwood Running Club
- Sue Newth-Gibbs
Lifetime Achievement:
- Tony Clark
- Peter Mayo
In addition, the Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Gareth Barrett gave personal Mayor's Commendation awards to:
- Major Paul Herlihy
- Paul Mayhew
- Steve Summers
The Civic Awards judging panel said they were impressed with the quality of the nominations which showed the breadth of good work they had done in the community.
Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Gareth Barrett said, “These awards celebrate the heart of our community, highlighting the selflessness and dedication of those who strive to make Brentwood a better place. It is an honour to present the winners with these awards as a thank you and recognition of what they do. Each recipient represents the values of compassion, generosity, and community spirit that define our borough.”
During the Civic Dinner, donations were collected, raising nearly £1000 in support for the Mayor's chosen charities.The Mayors’ charities this year are Daily Bread, YMCA and the Royal British Legion (Brentwood Branch).
About the winners:
Brentwood Running Club is a fantastic, friendly organisation that supports the community in various ways including fitness, friendship, confidence, and charity. Teaming up with Saint Francis Hospice, they've raised over £100,000 through marathons and the Brentwood Half Marathon. The club provides coaching and support to help members achieve marathon goals and organises a coach to the London Marathon for local charity runners. Established in 1987, the club has been integral to the community, making significant contributions to charity and local welfare.
Sue Newth-Gibbs retired as Chair of Havering & Brentwood Bereavement Service (HBBS) after 30 years of dedicated service. Throughout her tenure, she guided the organisation with enthusiasm, consistency, and clarity, ensuring its mission of supporting local emotional well-being persisted. Under her leadership, individual counselling sessions grew from 200 to 2,500 annually, showcasing her stability and adept decision-making. Sue's openness to innovation and strategic planning facilitated HBBS's growth while maintaining a balance between consolidation and development. Additionally, she actively supported events, fundraisers and public outreach, serving as a stellar ambassador for HBBS. Sue's remarkable commitment to the organisation has left a lasting impact.
Tony Clark has been involved in fundraising for over 40 years. He is one of the leading organisers of the Brentwood Half Marathon and Fun Run since it was founded in 1980. Without his continued involvement the event would not be the success it is and has raised over £4 million for charities, mostly but not exclusively within Brentwood. Tony is also a keen fundraiser for Brentwood charity SNAP, organising quiz nights and golf days. To date, he has raised over £130,000 for the charity.
Peter Mayo relocated to Brentwood in 1970, he has been actively engaged in various local initiatives. Notable contributions include his role as a founding member of the Brentwood Shelter Group, where he organised fundraising events alongside his full-time job. In the 1970s, he played a pivotal role in fundraising for the Old House in Shenfield Road, now a thriving arts and community centre celebrating its 30th anniversary. Recently retired, Peter has joined the board of the Brentwood Theatre Trust, becoming its longest-serving member, displaying unwavering enthusiasm for the project. Following retirement, he joined the Brentwood Talking Newspaper as a reader and sound engineer, taking on production responsibilities during lockdown, greatly appreciated by listeners. Peter now serves as Chairman, adeptly navigating the changes that come with time.