THE man behind Marlow’s “amazing” Remembrance Day Parade was honoured for his service to the town in the Mayor’s Annual Reception.

Chairman of Marlow’s Royal British Legion, Shaun Murphy, who served nearly four decades mostly as a Royal Engineer, was handed the Mayor’s Award.

Lt Col Murphy, 63, organises Marlow’s Poppy Appeal and the Remembrance Day service which is widely believed to be the largest in the south-east – with about 5,000 people turning out to pay their respects in the town in November.

In presenting him with the award, Mayor of Marlow Cllr Suzanne Brown said: “His amazing contribution to organising the Poppy Appeal each year is incredible and we seem to raise more and more money every year.

“The amazing Remembrance Day Parade we have here, which I’m told is bigger than anything in the whole of the south east of England, many people say is their highlight of the year.

“To the man who does all this, who you all know and love, I give you Shaun Murphy.”

The Community Award for long-standing voluntary service was handed to Peter Land – who set up the League of Friends of Marlow Cottage Hospital with Dr Spink.

A member of the Worshipful Company of Cooks, Mr Land was a governor at Buckinghamshire New University from 1988 until 2004.

Mayor Brown said: “Being a trustee, a chairman of Marlow Cottage Hospital for over 40 years – without him we would not have a cottage hospital in the condition it is today.”

The Marlow Players received the Culture Award after entertaining the residents of the town with its performances since it was established in 1937.

Up-and-coming taekwondo star Adam Bonwick from Great Marlow School, who was a black-belt at just 13-years-old, won the Sports Award.

The awards were handed out during the annual Mayor's Reception held during yesterday's opening of the Marlow Town Regatta and Festival.