Pair awarded an MBE for services to the community

THE FOUNDERS of a childrens’ playcentre that is facing closure have been named in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.

Douglas and Glynis Lee have been awarded an MBE for their services to the community which includes them taking care of hundreds of children in and around the Stonebridge area in the last 30 years.

The pair established Brent Play Association which runs Stonebridge Adventure Playground in Shakespeare Crescent, Stonebridge.

The playcentre, which serves hundreds of children from the nearby housing estate, could close its doors for good after it was plunged into a financial crisis through a lack of funding.

The centre’s plight hit the national headlines when boxer Audley Harrison wore a t-shirt emblazed with the words ‘Keep Stonebridge Adventure Playground Open’ before his ill fated fight against David Haye.

Cllr Zaffar Van Kalwala from the Stonebridge ward congratulated the pair saying they have deserved it for their tireless work in the community.

He added: “I’m very pleased for Doug and Glynis.

“Its fantastic recognition for the great work they have done particularly in Stonebridge over the years.

“It’s thanks to their efforts that our community has gone from strength to strength.”

Several residents in the borough have also been honoured by the Queen.

Pink Panther actor Herbert Kwouk and Gerald Ernest Oppenheim, a Big Lottery Fund director, both from Kilburn, have both been awarded an OBE.

In addition to Douglas and Glynis Lee, other recipients of an MBE from the borough are Lorraine Phelan, a biomedical scientist at St Mary’s Hospital, who lives in Wembley, for services to the NHS, Ratilal Shah from Wembley, for services to the Indian community and May White for her services to Brent.