TWO community stalwarts in Kirkbymoorside have been recognised for their service to the town.

Grandmother Rita Gibson and Malcolm Hodgson have earned the town council’s prestigious community service award for their efforts.

Coun Chris Dowie, town mayor, said: “Both Rita and Malcolm thoroughly deserve their awards. They have both done a great deal to improve the quality of life for residents in Kirkbymoorside and its surrounding area and we are all very grateful to them.”

Born in Scarborough, Mrs Gibson, of Piercy End, moved to Kirkbymoorside to work as a nurse at the town’s Adela Shaw Orthopaedic Hospital.

She quickly became immersed in community life as a standard bearer for the women’s section of the Royal British Legion and Brown Owl with the Brownies. She also helped with the scouts and joined Kirkbymoorside Brass Band committee.

Her enthusiasm for community life saw her become a founder of the Kirkbymoorside Flower Club, of which she was chairman, and the Horticultural Society, helping to run its annual show.

And her love of gardening has seen her become an active member of the Yorkshire Pelargonium Society and Kirkbymoorside in Bloom, for which she helps to grow and plant 4,000 bedding plants.

Mrs Gibson is also a member of town’s local history group. One of her current tasks is co-ordinator for the Ryedale Family History Group, recording and mapping with her friend, Jane Jackson, ancient gravestones in churchyards at Allerston, Kirkdale, Ellerburn, Yedingham, Sinnington and Kirkbymoorside.

“I have had a busy life and still have, but I thoroughly enjoy it, especially living in Kirkbymoorside,” said Mrs Gibson.

“Getting the award came as a great surprise, but it was very nice to be recognised by the council.”

Gaynor de Barr, chairman of Kirkbymoorside in Bloom, said: “The work Rita has done for Kirkbymoorside is legion and much of the success we have enjoyed in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition has been due to her enthusiasm and work as part of our team.

“We are delighted she has been recognised in this way – as I’m sure everyone in the town is.”

Malcolm Hodgson, for a decade the principal organiser of the Kirkbymoorside 10k, has also been recognised.

A keen walker, runner and cyclist, Malcolm is the National Trails officer for the North York Moors National Park, with special responsibility for several national long-distance routes, including the Cleveland Way and the coast-to-coast walk.

But it was his enthusiasm and dedication in staging the 10k which brought him to local fame, when he pioneered the event to raise money for Kirkbymoorside and Gillamoor primary schools.

Now a key part of Kirkbymoorside’s calendar, the annual run raises £3,000 a year for the schools, said Malcolm, who recently stepped down as the main organiser together with his co-organisers, Dr Tim Hughes and Martin Lush.

“It has become a great success for runners and at the same time raised many thousands of pounds for the schools. Receiving the award came as a big surprise, but it was very nice to be recognised for my efforts.”