Friends and family members have paid tribute to the founder of a conservation group who received an award for his outstanding work in the community.

Ian MacKay, who set up Friends of Attenborough’s Fields after it was saved from development as a golf course, died on Thursday, January 7, aged 73.

Both Ian and his wife, Pat, who got married in 1965, were involved with Oxhey Village Environment Group from when it was set up and served as committee members.

In 2006, the father-of-three received Watford Borough Council’s Audentior Award. The award recognises individuals and organisations’ “outstanding dedication” in the borough,

Mr MacKay, who had a degree in civil engineering, helped design the bridge in Oxhey Green and drew hundreds of posters for OVEG meetings.

He also helped re-erect the War Memorial on Watford Heath and the design and construction of the War Memorial on Oxhey Green.

Ian did all of the artwork for the OVEG mugs, tea towels, and designed the Oxhey Ox, which is on the Oxhey Village signs.

Pat MacKay said he combined “a full time job, a young family and night school at Willesden Technical College” before getting his degree.

But it was his love of the environment that he was best known for.

Friend Jane Hopkins said: “He was really in to nature and so enthusiastic about it.

“He loved working with kids and young adults. His enthusiasm for conservation was incredible.

“He could talk to anyone and transfer his enthusiasm.”

He helped raise funds for the Friends of Attenborough Fields by organising the annual fun run.

His wife, Pat, said: “He was a regular part of a small band of stalwart volunteers who turned out every first Sunday of the month to physically improve the fields and Merryhill for the benefit of the whole community.

” In recent years he became a trustee for Reveley Lodge in Bushey – using his construction experience and knowledge for its renovation and preservation.

“Ian enjoyed giving his time to teaching younger generations about the wonders of the countryside and nature and his enthusiasm and empathy certainly captured many a young imagination.”

The 73-year-old was also a volunteer speaker for The Woodland Trust over the last ten years.

The family used to live in Upper Paddock Road, Oxhey Village but moved to Somerset last year.