THE great and good of the borough who tirelessly dedicate their services to the community were praised at an awards ceremony last week.

The selection of “unsung heroes”, who came from a variety of vocations and sectors of society, were thanked for their contribution to borough life at the Barnet Council Civic Awards presentation last Thursday, at Hendon Town Hall.

A total of 38 people picked up certificates, of which eight received special recognition in the form of a framed vellum.

Firefighter Steve Gleeson, from Edgware, was nominated by his colleagues and received an award in recognition of 38 years of service with the London Fire Brigade, and for his dedication to making Barnet a safer place.

The 57-year-old, who is fire station manager at Mill Hill and Barnet, is the fourth longest serving uniformed firefighter in London, and said it had been a childhood ambition to join the service.

He said: “I wasn't aware I had been nominated until about two weeks before the evening. It came as a big shock but I have felt quite humbled that my colleagues thought of me in that light.

“I have had some absolutely brilliant times. It is a great job, it's very rewarding, and we are working to make the people of Barnet safer, which is my main aim.”

Recipients of the awards are open to anyone who lives in the borough, and all the winners are nominated by members of the public.

Council bosses said the annual event is intended to “honour unsung heroes who have made a major contribution to community life”.

Ronald Shelley, MBE, has lived in the borough for almost 50 years and was awarded a vellum for his outstanding work and contribution to the Anglo-Jewish community in Barnet.

Currently chair of the Jewish military museum, in Hendon, Mr Shelley has held numerous roles on charities and organisations in the borough over the years and was twice national chair of the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women.

He said: “To get an award from you peers and the borough is quite extra ordinary and I was quite amazed.

“I feel very humbled about it. I have got a great kick out of the work I have done, met a lot of people and it has been very rewarding. That's all you need by if your peers respect what you have done in this way then it is even better.”

Margaret Clark, 74, received her award in recognition of her outstanding work in supporting cancer sufferers in Barnet, and as founder of Barnet Cancer Care which was set up in 1986.

She said: “I was involved with people who had cancer or were dying and I gradually got the impression there were black holes that needed filling. People needed some support and that is basically what we do.

“It is an honour to think people see me in this way. I just do things that I enjoy and I think I have got some skills, so I don't want to hide them away under the bed, I want to use them to help.”

The Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Brian Coleman, presented the awards and afterwards said: "All of the nominees have dedicated themselves and their time selflessly to improving the quality of life of other people. It is important that their efforts and achievements are recognised.

"All of the nominees deserve the gratitude of the community and the public recognition that this event brings."

List of winners:

  • The Archer Editorial Team.

    "In recognition of all of the dedicated volunteers who produce and deliver 'The Archer Newspaper'."

  • Mr Steve Gleeson.

    In recognition of 38 years of service with the London Fire Brigade and for his dedication to making Barnet a safer place.

  • Ms Hanan Ibrahim.

    In recognition of her work as founder and Chief Executive of the Somali Family Support Group in Barnet.

  • Mr B J 'Mac' Mackenny.

    In recognition of his many years of service to the local community as Chairman of the Whetstone Society.

  • Mr Mushtaq Rehman.

    In recognition of his dedication to helping young people in Barnet.

  • Mr Ronald Charles Shelley, MBE.

    In recognition of his outstanding work and contribution to the Anglo-Jewish community in Barnet.

  • Dr Margaret Clark.

    In recognition of her outstanding work in supporting cancer sufferers in Barnet, and as founder of Barnet Cancer Care.

  • Mrs Jill Summers JP.

    In recognition of her many years of service to the local community and in particular to Wessex Gardens School.