Newbury Town Council stalwart awarded certificate after two decades of service

A DEDICATED council officer has been awarded a special certificate for 20 years of service.

Margaret 'Mags' Gore joined Newbury Town Council on August 14, 2001, and has worked tirelessly for the local authority for the past two decades.

In a ceremony in front of the town hall on Friday, August 13, Mrs Gore, 56, was presented with a framed certificate, a Kindle Oasis and flowers by the town council’s chief executive Hugh Peacocke and Newbury mayor Billy Drummond.

The certificate reads: “Margaret Gore, long service award – in recognition of 20 years of service to the council and the people of Newbury as an officer of Newbury Town Council.”

Mrs Gore said it had been great to see her team together at the ceremony, having worked from home for much of the pandemic.

She said: “I went in to work as normal but my other half, Nigel, had obviously been approached and he said I need to go in a little bit smarter today and not looking like a scruff.

“It was quite a nice surprise. Mr Mayor made a speech and I had a few words with the team.

“It was nice to see them because we don’t see everybody together any more.

“We’re such a little team and used to get together for birthdays so it was nice to see everybody.”

Mr Peacocke said: “When Margaret joined, George Bush was President and Tony Blair was UK Prime Minister.

“Twenty years is a fantastic achievement.

“The council itself is only 24 years old, so Margaret is a fantastic resource for us all.

“She has seen a lot of changes over that time, and her experience and knowledge of this council are invaluable.

“Since I joined the council in 2015, Mags has given me fantastic support.”

Mrs Gore began at the council as a secretary/administrator in 2001, when Tim Smith was the chief executive, before two years later becoming a committee officer.

In 2008, she became a senior administration officer, before becoming corporate services officer and now senior accounts officer.