Civic Awards winners praised for their community efforts
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 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
The Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Gareth Barrett, also gave personal Mayor’s Commendation awards to: Major Paul Herlihy, Paul Mayhew and Steve Summers.
The Civic Awards judging panel were impressed with the quality of the nominations which they said showed the breadth of good work done in the community.
Cllr Barrett said: “These awards celebrate the heart of our commuhas nity, 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 £1,000 in support for the mayor’s chosen charities, which this year are Daily Bread, YMCA and the Royal British Legion (Brentwood branch).
Civic Award winner 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 have raised more than £100,000 through marathons and the Brentwood Half Marathon.
The club provide 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 have been integral to the community, making significant contributions to charity and local welfare.
Civid Award winner Sue Newth-Gibbs retired as vhair 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 wellbeing 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.
Lifetime achievement award winner Tony Clark has been involved in fundraising for more than 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 more than £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 raised more than £130,000 for the charity.
Lifetime achievement award winner Peter Mayo relocated to Brentwood in 1970, and 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.
Each recipient represents the values of compassion,
generosity and community spirit that define our borough.