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Weekly’s former arts editor honoured for services to town

Grelle White

A former arts editor at a weekly newspaper has won a civic award for her services to a town.

Grelle White, pictured left, who worked at the Watford Observer, was presented with a special achievement award at Watford Borough Council’s Audentior Awards last Friday.

While working for the weekly, she organised 16 charity golf days on behalf of the newspaper with the aim of bringing together the town’s business community and supporting smaller charities in Watford.

The Audentior Awards are held annually by the mayor and chairman of Watford Borough Council to recognise dedicated organisations and individuals in the town.

Grelle, 74, also joined Watford Area Arts Forum when it was founded 15 years ago and since then has helped produce a twice-yearly magazine about art and culture.

She told the Observer: “I was asked to produce a newsletter for members, but suggested a magazine aimed at raising the profile of art and culture in Watford generally would be more useful.

“With a lot of help, support and, not least, appreciation, the magazine has been published twice a year for the past 15 years. Increasingly we are able to report improvements and happy endings.

“I find it hard to believe that I have been chosen for the Special Achievement Audentior Award, but also incredibly touched and honoured. It feels like winning the lottery without buying a ticket.”

Grelle added: “At the time, I joined the Watford Observer, I was struck by the way both outsiders and local people perceived the town as an ugly duckling.

“Too many shades of grey, too much concrete and, to my mind, too many residents moaning about what had gone wrong instead of pulling together to find a better, colourful way forward.”

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  • September 17, 2015 at 10:48 am
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    Lovely Grelle – still bloody gorgeous! Congratulations on this well-deserved award. Sx

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