A couple have been nominated for the Watford Observer Community Heroes Award.

Pensioners Barbara and Roy Simper of Cassiobury Drive were recommended for the award by their friend, Mary Morgan, in recognition of their work as marshals at the London Marathon. 

The couple first became involved in the sporting event back in 1981 when it started. At the time, they belonged to Watford Joggers which got going in 1978 by Harvey Jaquest, the clubs founding member and president. 

As the club became more well-known and jogging steadily became more popular, people from the group were asked to support the London Marathon. 

Barbara and Roy held their first pitch at Embankment in 1981 handing out water to the runners, accompanied by their young daughters Kate and Amanda.

Watford Observer:

Barbara said: “It was all very amateurish back then. We took picnic tables and filled dustbins with water and we handed out paper cups. 

“Back then there were around 7,000 runners taking part. Now it’s 37,000.”

Barbara said she thought it was possible she and her husband were the longest serving members of the Watford Joggers still supporting the London Marathon. 

She added: “Watford Joggers is still going strong to this day which is brilliant. When it started we went along to see what this joggers’ thing was all about. It was very social and then it just became a habit.

“We were involved in the London Marathon because it was what the club did in their yearly activities. They always need the marshals and it was fun for us.”

Barbara went on to say the “biggest bonus” for her was being invited to put forward a number of Watford Joggers as marshals for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

Watford Observer:

This year was the first year the couple did not take part in the national event. Barbara said: “We decided not to go because I wanted to watch the marathon on television and Mo Farah was on. 

“It’s all very exciting to be there when the leaders approach, but then two seconds later they’ re gone. So, this year, I was quite interested to watch. We just took a year off.”

Barbara and Roy, who were married in 1963 in Carpenders Park, also took part in and supported the Watford half marathon; they belong to the Amersham Ramblers’ Association and also joined U3A (University of the Third Age), an international organisation to whose aims are the education and stimulation of mainly retired members of the community.

They attend U3A meetings at St Luke’s Church on Langley Way where Barbara said people with wide-ranging skills and knowledge can start an interest group such as singing or poetry. Barbara said she had joined a ukulele group and played at The Peace Hospice a few times.

The couple met while working for Associated Television (ATV) where Roy was a cameraman and Barbara was a vision mixer. Together they have two children and four grandchildren who all run. 

Mary Morgan who nominated Barbara and Roy said of the couple: “I just feel that because they have given up their time so much for the benefit of others their sterling effort should be rewarded in some way.

“After reading the Watford Observer this week I can think of no better way to mark their achievement of marshalling for the London Marathon since it started.

“Barbara says she is embarrassed because there are lots of marshals but as I said to her, not everyone has done it since the London Marathon started. I personally think it is amazing.”

Barbara said she and her husband would continue to stay active in the future.