13 community awards given at Houghton Regis Civic Service - here's who won

The service, on April 24, was held in the presence of the Town Mayor, Councillor Clare Copleston, and officiated by Father Diego Galanzino.

Deputy Lieutenant Mr Vinod Tailor was in attendance, along with the Mayors from Dunstable, Luton, Flitwick, Ampthill, Leighton-Linslade and Stotfold, and the Deputy Mayor from Harpenden. Other guests included Town and Central Bedfordshire Councillors, representatives from the local community, and ex service personnel and 1st/3rd Houghton Regis Scouts who presented standards at the altar.

The service included singing from the children of Thomas Whitehead CE Academy and Luton singing trio ‘Voices With Soul’. Houghton Regis Youth Council were also on hand to assist at the church and at the reception afterwards.

The reception after the service was held at the Houghton Regis Memorial Hall and Cllr Copleston presented special certificates to honour those people that she has met during her Mayoral year who had offered outstanding contributions to the community of Houghton Regis.

Councillor Copleston would also like to thank Frugal Frog Flowers for the beautiful floral displays which were donated to decorate the tables, as well as Father Diego, Mr and Mrs Steele, the Church Choir, Tim Haines (Community worker from Bidwell West), Deputy Mayor, Yvonne Farrell, Mrs Byrne and the children from Thomas Whitehead CE Academy on Angels Lane, Voices With Soul, the Safer Luton Partnership, Houghton Regis Youth Council and the Town Council staff who supported the event.

So far, awards have been presented to 13 winners – with a further four, who we are keeping under wraps – set to be surprised with theirs shortly.

The winners announced so far are:

Dee Bailey

Kelly Campbell

John Gilmour

Sally Grant

Darrel Gregory

Beverly Lennox

Deborah Lees Young

Jasmine Mbye

Lawrence McAlinney

Angel Munge

Norman Owens

Pamala Smith

Luton and Surrounding Area Kenyan Forum