“At first I thought it was a scam!' - ecstatic Harborough councillor awarded MBE for his outstanding services to the community

A veteran Harborough councillor is ecstatic after being awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.

Cllr Roger Dunton, 73, thanked his wife Valerie and his family for their huge support after he has given over 30 years’ service to Market Harborough and beyond.

Roger, a Liberal Democrat stalwart for over three decades, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been awarded the MBE.

“I’ve known about the honour since May so it’s not been easy keeping it quiet!

“I thought it was a scam when I got an email one day telling me but it turned out to be true and I’m very proud.”

The citation said that the public-spirited father-of-three has been recognised for his outstanding services to the community in Market Harborough.

Originally from Hertfordshire, Roger has represented the town’s Welland ward since 1987.

“I was proud to serve as chairman of Harborough District Council from 1996-7 and like to think that I’ve been able to help so many people in Market Harborough over the years.

“I was an on-call firefighter here in the town for almost 30 years,” said the long-serving councillor,” he said.

“I was thrilled to wear the uniform – and working for the fire service was one of the big loves of my life.

“I have so many fantastic stories to tell from those great days.”

Roger is also chairman of the Howard Watson Symington Memorial Charity, belongs to the Harborough Twenty 12 Lions Club and was an active member of the Jubilee Foodbank in Market Harborough until the Covid-19 lockdown.

He was also chairman of governors at the town’s Farndon Fields Primary School nearly 30 years.

“I was only too pleased to help with the local Lions to co-ordinate vital prescription deliveries to local people during the lockdown.

“I’m semi-retired now.

“But I still work for Market Harborough Medical Centre as a driver delivering prescriptions to the elderly and vulnerable a couple of days a week,” said Roger.

“I came to Market Harborough from Hertfordshire many years ago and I really do feel like an adopted son of our brilliant town now.

“I’d like to say a special thank you to my wife Valerie and our lovely family.

“They have all stood four square behind me over all these years and I couldn’t have done this and achieved what I have without them.

“And I’m not finished yet by any means.

“I will carry on serving and working for the people of Market Harborough as long as I’m fit to do so.”