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Mayor picks up MBE (From Watford Observer)
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Mayor Dorothy Thornhill picks up MBE from Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace
2:43pm Monday 30th January 2012 in News
By Mike Wright, Chief Reporter
Mayor picks up MBE
Watford elected mayor Dorothy Thornhill rubbed shoulders with Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth among others as she collected her MBE award at Buckingham Palace.
Mrs Thornhill, who has been at the borough's helm since 2002, describe the experience of receiving the honour “humbling”.
News of her MBE was announced in the summer and on Thursday she was presented the medal by Prince Charles.
She said: “As a Welsh girl I was very proud to have the Prince of Wales.
“What came out of it for me was that it was about ordinary people being recognised for quite special things.
“It was quite a humbling experience.”
Mrs Thornhill, who has a background in education entered local politics as Liberal Democrat councillor in 1992.
She then became the town’s first elected mayor in 2002 and has held the post ever since, winning re-election in 2006 and 2010.
The mayor said Prince Charles had been interested to hear she had been the country’s first female elected mayor.
She added: “I told him I had been re-elected twice and he said ‘you must be doing something right’.”
Comments(20)
garston tony
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3:03pm Mon 30 Jan 12
watfordrick
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3:07pm Mon 30 Jan 12
MaryWatford
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3:30pm Mon 30 Jan 12
Songbird12
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3:40pm Mon 30 Jan 12
MaryWatford
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3:51pm Mon 30 Jan 12
drunkenduck
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3:58pm Mon 30 Jan 12
Songbird12
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4:09pm Mon 30 Jan 12
MaryWatford
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4:17pm Mon 30 Jan 12
Mike Watford
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4:29pm Mon 30 Jan 12
Songbird12 wrote:They do look at people's records - thats how they get the awards. Whatever your political views, the independent inspectors have consistantly praised Dorothy's record of leadership at Watford.
It's a shame the Prince of Wales didn't look into Mayor Thornhill's record. She forgot to inform His Highness what she intends to do to the pond at the top of the town. I guess MBE's are as easy to get as a PhD online. Maybe Buckingham Palace has lowered their standards when nobody was looking. The Mayor is right to call herself "an ordinary girl", because she's by far a too ordinary politician.
...and it always makes me laugh when people make comments like yours. Most people who stand for election over a period of time make a lot of sacrifices: whether its to their family life, their time, health or financially with their former careers.
LSC
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4:39pm Mon 30 Jan 12
Like Mrs Thornhill, I am contracted to do a job. I turn up on time, I work hard and sometimes have to stay late unpaid to get the job done. I didn't realise that resulted in medals, so I shall look forward to mine.
My father was given a Civic Award. After he retired, he spent seven days a week working for a charity, for 20 years. When he got the award he declined to go to the Palace to collect it because in his words, he was 'Too bloody busy'. (He was very proud thogh, on the quiet)
I might be biased, but in my view that is what Civic Awards are about. Not back-slapping politicians, civil servants, sportsmen and actors who are already handsomely paid to do their job.
It should be about real people doing extrordinary things.
drunkenduck
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4:42pm Mon 30 Jan 12
Mike Watford wrote:Agree with LSC. And don't forgot to mention that Dottie is on a wage of £65,000 plus benefits. That's far more then many readers, council workers etc and others who do far more for the community what Dottie has done is her career. But you don't see them receiving a MBE, do you. The question to ask, 'who' nominated her to receive an MBE in the first place?..
Songbird12 wrote:They do look at people's records - thats how they get the awards. Whatever your political views, the independent inspectors have consistantly praised Dorothy's record of leadership at Watford.
It's a shame the Prince of Wales didn't look into Mayor Thornhill's record. She forgot to inform His Highness what she intends to do to the pond at the top of the town. I guess MBE's are as easy to get as a PhD online. Maybe Buckingham Palace has lowered their standards when nobody was looking. The Mayor is right to call herself "an ordinary girl", because she's by far a too ordinary politician.
...and it always makes me laugh when people make comments like yours. Most people who stand for election over a period of time make a lot of sacrifices: whether its to their family life, their time, health or financially with their former careers.
Mike Ribble
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4:47pm Mon 30 Jan 12
Toshhorn
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12:16pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Veritas
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12:19pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Praised Daft Dotty's Leadership? they obviously have not been around for all the fiascos she has presided over?
The Pond "Consultation" she obviously
does not take into consideration Petitions?
Watford is a mess under her.
The latest about "Dotty Mag" opps, About Watford. No wonder the electorate are confused when they get such slick marketing.
Now she claims she is getting death threats?
This Fib Dem administration is bleeding the Council dry with their salaries, whilst good much needed staff are made redundant.
You only have to look at the dodgy personalities trying to defend her to see they are all on a nice little earner at our and the towns expense.
Please get rid of her!!! She is an embarrasment, we all know it.
scarecrow
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1:11pm Tue 31 Jan 12
nortwat
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1:58pm Wed 1 Feb 12
nortwat
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3:33pm Wed 1 Feb 12
laurat86
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9:53pm Thu 2 Feb 12
nortwat wrote:You actually phone the council to tell them you have dog mess outside your house!? Get a grip. I would have told you to clean it up yourself too.
just to add to what i put i rang the town hall and spoke to dottie and mentioned dog mess outside my property and was promptly told to clen it up my self and she waould pass it on to enviromental health tht was on a tuesdy and guess what still there on the thursday. So can anyone tell me that is a mayor that cares for her town the true answer in a big fat NO. If it was out side her house bet it would of been cleaned up within 5 mins. So for that dottie a great big thanks for nothing .
LSC
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1:58am Fri 3 Feb 12
nortwat wrote:You managed to get through to the Mayor to talk about dog poo? You think that is best use of her time?
just to add to what i put i rang the town hall and spoke to dottie and mentioned dog mess outside my property and was promptly told to clen it up my self and she waould pass it on to enviromental health tht was on a tuesdy and guess what still there on the thursday. So can anyone tell me that is a mayor that cares for her town the true answer in a big fat NO. If it was out side her house bet it would of been cleaned up within 5 mins. So for that dottie a great big thanks for nothing .
Forget employment levels, forget crime. Forget empty office blocks, dying shops, homeless on the streets. Forget slashed budgets and redundancies. Nortwat very nearly got a dirty carpet, and THAT is serious folks. Perhaps we could have some sort of petition?
Songbird12 says...
2:57pm Mon 30 Jan 12