EPPING FOREST: Civic awards honour the district's best

4:37pm Friday 19th March 2010

By Edmund Tobin

SPECIAL people across Epping Forest have been honoured at the district council's annual civic awards ceremony.

This year held at Gilwell Park, in Sewardstonebury, the awards are chosen by public nomination and presented by Epping Forest District Council.

The prestigious Citizen of the Year prize was awarded to John Carr, form Nazeing, for his tireless work in the village were he has lived since 1966.

A former district and parish councillor, Mr Carr was described on his nomination sheet as “Mr Nazeing”.

Mr Carr has played a key role in the establishment of Nazeing's village health centre and served on a number of public health bodies.

He is also known for his voluntary work supporting the elderly and physically disabled.

As well as Mr Carr's prize, special commendations were given to two citizen of the year nominees.

Dave Stannard was acknowledged for his work as chairman of the Loughton Broadway Town Centre Partnership and as the organiser of Debden Day while Tony Moore, from North Weald, was praised for his work at the Ongar Community Association, and Ongar Rotary Club.

Speaking after their awards were presented district council chairman Penny Smith said: “Let me begin by congratulating you John as our new Citizen of the Year. Yours is richly-deserved recognition. Tony and Dave also deserve great praise, as do all of this evening’s award winners. What a splendid district we have with so many wonderful people.”

The Young Citizen of the Year award was presented to 17-year-old Tom Peters, from Chigwell.

A member of Upper Clapton Rugby Club, Tom is also a volunteer working with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and district council at the Limes Farm Social Inclusion Project in Chigwell.

As well as the citizenship awards a £1,500 sports bursary was presented to Chigwell School pupil Emma Hollis, 18, a parlympic swimming hopeful and British record holder in a number of categories.

The council's arts bursary of £1,500 was awarded to Debden Park High School student Chris Crichlow for his work at the Loughton Youth Project.

Community service medals: Sally Pattie, Essex Ambulance Service; Ray Skinner Essex County Fire and Rescue service; PC Mark Sheridan-Brown, Essex Police

Epping Forest District Council Employee of the Year Awards: Dawn Jolley, Fiona Bateman, Shipra Bajpai, Lorraine Martin,Kath Shelton, Caroline Gleaves, Suzanne Doherty, Pat Seager.