LUTON scored a hat trick of MBEs in the New Year Honours List.
They were awarded to former police superintendent Andrew Martin, Marsh Farm Sure Start leader Denise Poore and HM Revenue & Customs higher officer Colleen Doherty.
Andrew Martin, who joined Bedfordshire Police in 1981 and served the community until he retired as superintendent last year, said he was “proud and privileged” to be awarded an MBE for services to the police.
He still works for the force as a developmental training manager.
Denise Poore, 58, head of the newly-opened £6 million Redgrave Children & Young People’s Centre – one of the few success stories of the Marsh Farm Development Trust – said she was “just amazed” to receive a letter in November saying she’d been nominated.
“I’m not the sort of person who gets awards,” she said. “In fact my husband Stephen jokingly asked if they’d got the right Denise Poore.”
The mother-of-three has spent more than 25 years in the voluntary sector and joined Sure Start in Luton five years ago.
Paying tribute to her team, she said: “If I’m absolutely honest, this award is really for them.
“They’re fantastic – so hardworking and supportive. I wouldn’t have been able to do anything without them.
“I know I can rely on them, that they’ll go that extra mile.”
Denise is a member of the national children’s centre leaders’ reference group which meets regularly to discuss policies and other issues with officials from the Department of Education.
She thinks her MBE may have something to do with her national role and confessed: “I’m really honoured and surprised but I still can’t believe it.
“It’s going to be fantastic going to the palace and I just wish I could take my team with me.
“My family and friends are all thrilled and excited. In fact I was given a mock medal at a New Year’s Eve party.”
Denise met Gordon Brown at a children’s centres event a couple of years ago. She described him as “so nice, friendly and chatty.”
Colleen Doherty declined to be interviewed.