Brentwood council has announced this year’s winners of the Civic Awards.

The awards recognise individuals who have dedicated their time to help others in Brentwood.

The Civic Awards Judging Panel said they were impressed with the high quality of the work the winners had done in the Brentwood community.

Chris Boyland and the Royal British Legion won the Service to the Community award.

Chis said: “It has been mentioned to me that I am happy when I see everyone else enjoying themselves, so helping with Lighting up Brentwood and seeing many happy faces is very rewarding I have been very blessed in life in many ways, by giving something back into the community – that means a lot.”

Chairman of the Royal British Legion Brentwood and District Branch Sydney Bryer said: “Our work at the legion has been important to support the veterans, families of veterans and Cadet Forces in the Brentwood area and to raise awareness and the meaning of remembrance.

It is an honour for the RBL to be the first group to receive this award and to be recognised in this way.”

P Paula Hills and Brian Kitchener won the Lifetime Achievement awards. Paula said: “SNAP is like a family and it has been important to me to help over the past 24 years. When I had my son, who has disabilities, there was very little information available for parents like me, so I knew how much a service like SNAP was needed, especially to create a support and an information network.”

The awards were presented at the Civic Dinner on March 2, at Hutton Mount Banqueting Suite, Mount Avenue, Hutton Mount.

Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Will Russell, who was also on the judging panel, said: “I was impressed with the quality of our winners’ work. It shows the time that Chris Boyland, Paula Hills and Brian Kitchener have given to our Brentwood community, often devoting many years to help and support others.

“These winners have made a real difference to people’s lives in and around the Brentwood area and I am pleased that we were able to recognise them in this way.

It is also the first time in the Civic Awards’ history that the award has been given to a group and it was a fitting year to award this as the Royal British Legion Brentwood and District Branch celebrated their 75th anniversary in 2017, the year these awards mark, giving exceptional service to the Brentwood community amongst others.”