At a special ceremonial meeting, Hounslow Council Members conferred the title of honorary aldermen and alderwomen on five long serving and widely respected former councillors.

They were recognised on Tuesday, 5 March 2024 for their eminent services to the council and the community for twelve years or more as elected councillors.

The ceremony, presided over by the Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Afzal Kiani, saw this distinguished title bestowed upon:   

Melvin Collins, for his work as a dedicated champion for disability rights.  

Steve Curran, for his work as the former Leader of the Council for eight years.   

Paul Lynch, who was a former Mayor and Cabinet Member.

Barbara Reid, who was the former Leader of the Opposition and Cabinet Member.  

Corrina Smart, who was a former Mayor and Cabinet Member.  

Collins has lived in Brentford since 1945 and has occupied numerous roles throughout his life time such as working at Barclays bank, governor of St Paul's School and cllr for Brentford.

At the borough council meeting on Tuesday, Brentford West Cllr, Guy Lambert, told the meeting: "I have the honour of introducing Mel Collins who has been my colleague on the council for a long time.

"When I started my time as councillor in 2015, in a by-election after Ruth Cadbury was elevated to the House of Commons, I was very green indeed and quite daunted about starting a new career at the age of 63.

"As soon as I started I met Mel. He had many years of experience and knew Brentford like the back of his hand, the front of his hand and other parts of his body.

"On top of that he was a very kind and supportive individual who always had time to coach an inexperienced ward councillor."

Lambert continued: "Mel had compromised vision since he was a child and that has deteriorated over the years and in the last few years he has had problems with his legs too which he found frustrating and apologised sometimes for his inability to do the things he normally does. He had no reason to apologies.

"Through this time I would speak to him regularly and ask how he was and how challenging his troubles were, sometimes they were very severe, the response was always positive. 'It's better than it was last week.'

"His ability to work with case work or appear at the council area forums and meeting with locals or the police, was never diminished.

Lambert finished: "Mel was and still is a wonderful friend from me. A legend around the ward and whose only motivation was to help people to thrive, often in very challenging circumstances.

"I am proud to know him and to work with him. After 24 years I think as a councillor, battling determinately against handicaps that would have defeated many people, it is only right that the council should honour him in this way."

Also at the meeting was Brentford East Cllr, Marina Sharma, who expressed gratitude to the former cllr like Lambert and said: "What can I say about Mr Brentford that hasn't already been said.

"He is known and loved within Brentford East.

"When (we go) canvasing, when we are out on ward walks, everyone is still asking about Mel and he's still a very active member of the community and this is such a wonderful honour bestowed upon him this evening.

"Well done Mel."

Former Brentford Councillor Melvin Collins, alongside four others, has received Hounslow Council's first-ever Alderman honours (credit: Hounslow Council/YouTube).

Addressing the meeting, former Cllr Collins said: "I'd like to begin my short address with two huge tributes because without them I would most certainly not be here this evening.

"First of all I'd like to pay a huge tribute to all of my family going back to 1944 to my present day and I mean all of the family.

"Many of them sadly are no longer with us but I do hope, if not all of them, but most of them are up there with a little smile, saying 'the old devil did his last'."

Collins added: "The second huge tribute that I must make is to the Royal London Society for the Blind who had the unenviable task of trying to educate this little fella' here.

"From the 10 September 1951, which is when I first came across the Royal London...in those days were not only the bastions of our education but they were also our social bastions as well because many of us had to attend boarding school and so our social skills were born from people who paved their lives in dedication.

"The honour bestowed to me tonight isn't for me but is for the folk there (the community) and the folk beyond because they've let me into their lives, they've trusted me, along with other people, to be able to make a difference."

The honorary aldermen and alderwomen titles are awarded to former members of the council who have served with distinction and demonstrated exceptional service to the community for 12 or more years.

This honour, one of the highest the council can bestow, recognises their contributions to the role and in shaping the future of Hounslow.    

Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council, said: "Last evening, we honoured five individuals whose service to the borough of Hounslow has been nothing short of extraordinary.

"Their passion, dedication, and commitment have left an indelible mark on our community.

"Awarding them the title of honorary aldermen and alderwomen is a testament to their outstanding contributions and our way of expressing the Borough's gratitude for their years of service.    

"In addition, the creation of our first honorary aldermen and women since the 1970's is a fitting way of marking the sixtieth anniversary of this council's first election."   

Hounslow Council will celebrate its sixtieth anniversary since its creation in May 2024. 

It was first elected on 7 May 1964 and sat as a shadow Authority until it took on its formal powers a year later. 

In the early days of the borough, Hounslow Council still appointed aldermen, a practice which continued until the 1970s. 

To watch the full borough council meeting from Tuesday, 5 March 2024, click here.

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