CONSPICUOUS service to the county and its people was acknowledged with the presentation of the Spirit of Kent Award to Lord Bruce-Lockhart of the Weald.

The presentation took place at a lunch at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge following the Lieutenancy of Kent’s fourth annual civic service.

Presenting the award, the Lord Lieutenant, Allan Willett, praised Lord Bruce-Lockhart’s selfless and unstinting service to Kent and the country over the past 20 years, saying: “The magnificent spirit of service that is alive and well in our great county is nowhere better exemplified than by Sandy Bruce-Lockhart.”

The Lord Lieutenant said the award had been created to acknowledge conspicuous service to Kent and its people by an individual over a long period.

From 1997 to 2005 Lord Bruce-Lockhart was leader of Kent County Council.

“On the national stage, notably as chairman of the Local Government Association that represents some 400 local authorities, he has championed the cause of local people – ever responsive to their needs, hopes and aspirations,” said Mr Willett.

“His appointment as chairman of English Heritage, too, was a measure of the man – willing to take the lead on modernising the way we look after the nation’s precious built heritage, nowhere more valuable than in Kent.”

Lord Bruce-Lockhart is also involved with the Weald of Kent Preservation Society, Kent Handicapped Care Association, Kent Federation of Amenity Societies and National Fruit Show as well as being a trustee of Leeds Castle, chairman of Rochester Cathedral Council and co-chairman of the Thames Gateway Forum.

Lord Bruce-Lockhart said he was delighted, deeply touched and honoured to receive the award. “I am a tremendous fan and passionate believer in Kent and I’m proud of our county and its heritage and history.

“I take great joy in our countryside, our traditional villages, our market towns and our coast – so many special places.

“But above all it is the work of so many dedicated and inspiring special people with whom I worked that has meant so much to me – people with shared ambitions for Kent and shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges, working together with the determination to succeed in a common and united cause.”