A NUMBER of Harlow residents were recipients of Harlow Civic Awards at the Civic Offices.

Charles Smith (nominated by Cllr Edna Stevens) – Charles has lived in Harlow since the town was in its infancy and worked in a wide variety of jobs, before spending the last years of his working life driving disabled children to and from school, finally retiring in his late 70s.

Having joined the Royal British Legion in Harlow in the early 1990s, Charles quickly became involved in the voluntary and fundraising work they undertook, and later joined the Branch Committee, becoming Chair at the end of the 1990s. During his time as Chair he forged links with Harlow Council.

Charles has also encouraged members of the Royal British Legion to accompany him to many of the schools in the town to talk to the children about their experiences from the war. He retired as Chair in 2013 but remained as caretaker until he was unable to undertake the role. Throughout his later years with the Royal British Legion Charles cared for his wife Doreen as her health deteriorated and he now cares for her full time. This does not stop Charlie maintaining his interest in the work of the Royal British Legion and his keen interest in maintaining his links to the schools. He agreed to become the Legion President in 2014, a position he holds today.

Jeanette (pictured) and David Roberts (nominated by Cllr Clive Souter) – Jeanette and David Roberts are both retired and have spent many years raising money for charity. David has suffered ill health for a long period of time but this has not deterred him from fundraising for his favourite charity.

David, in conjunction with his wife Jeanette, has worked tirelessly for St Clare Hospice. He has raised a significant amount of money by organising various events. They have organised raffles and dinner dances as well as other functions.

They have helped to raise the profile of this wonderful hospice and many have benefited greatly from their excellent efforts.

Christine Goodman (nominated by Cllr Sue Livings) – Christine was a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for 11 years up until May 2016. A good deal of that time was taken up in Old Harlow.

She will be missed in Old Harlow due to the wonderful job she has done, even putting in extra time when off-duty to attend certain meetings when required. Most of the Old Harlow residents know of her and she in turn made it her job to get to know them.

She loved patrolling the streets and getting to know people; she had her own surgery, attended the Baptist church coffee morning, visited the schools and of course attended the Old Harlow Neighbourhood Action Panel meetings.

Jackie Nash (nominated by Muriel Jolles) – Jackie has given many years of selfless and dedicated voluntary work for various communities in Harlow.

She was Scout Club Leader for some 500 children over 27 years and has also been involved in the University of the Third Age (U3A), a self-help learning organisation for the active retired which was founded in 2008. Jackie took a degree in IT and also Mathematics and, with her new qualifications created a website for the U3A and shared her knowledge by giving IT lessons to members of the U3A.

Jackie also formed the thriving Mulberry Green Residents’ Association and looked after her residents. She is now fighting for the residents in Churchgate Street, particularly the elderly, to have its bus service reinstated so they can attend clinics and do their shopping. All her time is voluntary.

The Council also gave a special Civic Honour award for outstanding community leadership to Professor Mike Thorne.

Professor Thorne, the former Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, played a key role in securing the sponsorship of the Sir Charles Kao UTC by Anglia Ruskin as well as ensuring a new MedTech Innovation Centre will be provided at Harlow Enterprise Zone.

Whilst Mike is not from Harlow he has always been a proactive ambassador for Harlow.