Community stalwart is recognised for his hard work through town award presentation

David Pearce has lived in Berkhamsted for almost 50 years and during his time as head of English and housemaster at Berkhamsted School he has taught thousands of young men and boys.

He was presented the Berkhamsted Community Award at the town council’s annual meeting on Thursday.

Long before his retirement in 1999, David with his co-founders Roger Watkins and the late Ken Sherwood, established the Graham Greene Birthplace Trust, which hosts the annual Graham Greene Festival. The event, celebrating the town’s most famous author, attracts speakers and attendance from all over the world.

The father of three also plays a key part in The Cowper Society, which supports a wide range of cultural activities, from interesting talks to assisting the major concerts held at St Peter’s Church.

More recently, church warden David has taken a leading role in getting a new group off the ground that will work to improve the cemetery off Three Close Lane.

During the presentation, president of the Rotary Club of Berkhamsted Bulbourne, Rob Fernyhough, said: “Anyone meeting David quickly realises that whatever he’s doing, it’s with boundless enthusiasm - and he’s having great fun doing it.

“In recognition of this and for all his work for the community over many years, we believe that David thoroughly deserves this, the Rotary Centenary Civic Award for 2015 and it is with great pleasure that we present it to him now.”

The award, first made in 2005 by the Rotary Club of Berkhamsted Bulbourne, aims to recognise individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the local community.

It is presented annually by the rotary club’s present and the town’s mayor.