And the award goes to...

More than 10 people from across the borough were recognised for their contribution to the community and charity work at Hertsmere Borough Council's Civic Dinner on Saturday, 20 March.

Nominations were invited from the public in November 2009 and the winners were picked by a judging panel which included the Mayor.

The ceremony was held at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood in front of more than 200 guests and included a three course meal and raffle which raised just over £2,000 for the Mayor's chosen charities, Action for ME and RADAR (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation).

Mayor Cllr Rosemary Gilligan said: "It was a lovely evening and I was honoured to present the awards which recognise the fantastic work that members of the community carry out on a voluntary basis.

"I would like to congratulate and thank all the winners again for their hard work, they should feel very proud."

The Mayor Cllr Rosemary Gilligan with the civic award winners

The winners were:

Herts Inclusive Theatre Company (HIT)
This group, which is based in Bushey but covers the whole borough and surrounding area, has been working with children and young people aged six to 18 with and without learning and physical disabilities for more than 10 years.  HIT provides a safe, friendly, welcoming environment where members can express themselves without feeling any prejudice or judgement.  It welcomes children of any ability and has members with speech and physical impairments who take part on an equal level to those without, something they may not get the opportunity to do elsewhere.  The group encourages members to develop confidence, team work and communication skills whilst also developing theatre and performance expertise and having fun.  HIT was nominated by Caroline England, the group's artistic director, who read out letters of appreciation from members' parents before Mr Pat Moloney, who has volunteered at the group since it started, was presented with the award on the group's behalf.  During the ceremony, Pat performed sign language to the song Stand By Me, originally by Ben E King, with two members of HIT, sisters Rhonwen and Branwen Mann.

Mrs Jane Saunders
Mrs Saunders, wife of former councillor Martin Saunders was nominated by Councillor Dan Griffin for her work with the Red Cross and other charitable deeds in the borough.

Mrs Margaret Sibley
For the past 11 years, Mrs Sibley has organised the Friends of Bushey Museum's annual garden party which is a major event in Bushey's social calendar.  She has also been the minutes secretary for Bushey Museum and the Friends of Bushey Museum for a number of years and carried out other work for their records.  Mrs Sibley was nominated by Anne Blessley.

A to B cycle riders Chris Dixon, Tim Dixon, Matthew Cardell-Williams, Richard Lee, Edward Heseltine, John Gouriet and Richard Gouriet (who was unable to attend) These cyclists from Potters Bar raised over £10,850 for Cancer Research UK when they cycled 1,450 miles from Andorra to Buckingham Palace.  This took 16 consecutive days and meant they rode up to 1,230 miles in a single day.  They were nominated by the Mayor.

Mrs Doreen Scivyer
Mrs Scivyer was nominated for her work in Potters Bar especially with the community group Potters Bar in Focus.  This group helped the council get one of its first Green Flag awards which was for Oakmere Park in 2002.  A Green Flag is a national award given to quality green spaces.  Mrs Scivyer was nominated by local councillor, Shirley Legate, but neither could attend the ceremony so the award will be presented at another time.

Mrs Angela Saunders
Mrs Saunders won The Dave Rankin Award which was introduced this year to specifically recognise work to improve community safety in tribute to Dave Rankin, Hertsmere's Neighbourhood Police Inspector, who died unexpectedly last year.  It was given to Mrs Saunders for her work in promoting crime prevention across the borough and enhancing community reassurance as chair of Hertsmere’s Borough Watch.  Mrs Saunders, wife of former councillor Rodney Saunders, was nominated by Councillor Morris Bright, Leader of the Council.  Mrs Rankin attended the ceremony with her two daughters.