INSPIRATIONAL people who have made a difference in the borough were celebrated by the outgoing Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane.

Councillor Roger Gardiner presented awards to individuals and businesses that have helped make the borough a better place during his Mayoral year.

Cllr Gardiner used his year-long term in office to promote volunteering and encouraged more residents to make a difference in the community they live in.

He presented a business award in the form of a glass sculpture of the town centre to Anthony Bravo, the principal of Basingstoke College of Technology following his work to establish strong business links between the college and China.

Cllr Gardiner said: “My business award has been an easy decision. Basingstoke College of Technology is more than just a centre of educational excellence, it is a business and nobody knows this better than principal, Anthony Bravo.”

Anthony added: “It is a real honour for the college to receive the Mayor’s Award for Business. At BCoT we are committed to supporting the borough’s young people by offering the best possible education in preparation for their future careers.

“I would also like to dedicate this award to the fantastic team of staff here at BCoT. Without them, none of this would be possible.”

Cllr Gardiner also awarded three people with individual awards for their contribution.

The first went to 48-year-old local amateur historian David Stewart, who has spent the past three years researching all of the names on the borough’s various war memorials.

Cllr Gardiner said: “My first award is to David Stewart who started with an interest in the war memorial which became an obsession and has resulted in an immense amount of information on the fallen of the borough in the Great War of 1914-18.

“When David first approached the borough, it was to ask about the roll of honour presented to the borough in 1916. At first he had little joy, but he persevered and asked the Mayor. Problem solved but David and I have kept in touch ever since.”

Grandfather-of-two Derek Newland, a volunteer with Basingstoke Young Carers, scooped the second individual award.

The 66-year-old, of Chivers Close, Buckskin, has made a big impression with the young carers, who range from between eight and 19-years-old, during his two years with the charity.

Cllr Gardiner said: “Derek is the uncle every child should have. He is one of the nicest people I know and totally involved with Young Carers where he makes a significant contribution.”

Derek told The Gazette: “It is a great honour and I was very surprised when I got the call. He has raised the profile of Basingstoke Young Carers in all the things he has done.”

The final award of the evening went to mother-of-three Julie Gary, a community life champion at Asda, in Brighton Hill.

Cllr Gardiner said: “Working with Asda, Julie Gary is a person we have come across with alarming regularity. Known as the official Mayoral stalker, Julie and Asda have supported so many events in the community with good humour and enthusiasm.”

Julie, who is 56, said: “I was very honoured and I had the letter in January but today seems to have come round quick.”