ALL that was good about the people of Dunmow was celebrated at the presentation of the Town Awards last week. Four local people were recognised for their superb efforts for the community at a special evening held at the Dourdan Pavilion, Great Dunmow, aft

ALL that was good about the people of Dunmow was celebrated at the presentation of the Town Awards last week.

Four local people were recognised for their superb efforts for the community at a special evening held at the Dourdan Pavilion, Great Dunmow, after they had been nominated for their individual awards.

The winners were:

* Daniel Bentley - for outstanding courage and dedication as evidenced by winning a gold medal in the Boccia (a type of bowls) team event at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.

* Maureen Jolly -for outstanding dedication to the work of the Dunmow Disabled Club over a period of 46 years.

* The Rev Peter Street -for outstanding and wide ranging service and leadership in Great Dunmow and other communities over many years, including in relation to the Great Dunmow Historical and Literary Society.

* Helen Wildman - for dedication and outstanding work in co-ordinating organisation of the Dunmow Flitch Trials.

A Dunmow Town Council spokesman hailed the awards evening a success. He said: "This year we had a very interesting spread of people and activities, which is really what the Dunmow Town Awards are all about.

"Since the awards got going in 2000 we've had an outstanding crop of people put forward and that is encapsulated by our four winners this time around."

Decorated certificates, including the town's Coat of Arms, were presented by Dunmow town mayor, Cllr Clive Smith.

Yet the spokesman was quick to add that the winners are not determined by the town council.

"Although the Town Council provides the administration for the awards, the panel is made up of six independent members. They are in total control of how the awards are given, and how many," he added.

"The awards are designed to recognise people who have done good things in Dunmow, or people from Dunmow who have done good things in other communities.

"They are well received and every year we get a lot of nominations. I think once again, this year we have four people who the town can be very proud of.