ROYAL Wootton Bassett community stalwarts were recognised in a special Civic Awards ceremony.

Peter Sheppard, Christopher Howard and the Reverend Canon Thomas Woodhouse each received an award, at the ceremony at St Bartholomew’s and All Saint’s in recognition of their outstanding service to the community.

The Mayor of Wootton Bassett, Linda Frost, said: “They are presented to nominated individuals who have brought about honour or prestige to the town, so enhancing its reputation within the district, the country or the world, either by some single outstanding act or by voluntary work sustained over a long period of time.”

Peter received the award in recognition of his 50 years’ service as a teacher in the town, and particularly for his work at the school that has become Wootton Bassett Academy, where he spent time as head of English, head of sixth form and finally deputy head.

In July last year the 71-year-old also won a trophy at the annual Times Education Supplement Schools awards.

Christopher Howard received the award in recognition of his work as the voluntary chairman on the Community Magazine for 36 years.

Meanwhile Thomas received the award to mark his work in the community as a leader and active member of a number of community groups, and in acknowledgement of his role as reverend in the parish for the past eight years.