Ruth Boff has spent more than two decades working behind the scenes to support Pinner and its residents through The Pinner Association.
Her years of voluntary work were recognised at this year’s Harrow’s Heroes Awards, where she won both the Volunteer of the Year and Contribution to the Community awards.
For Ruth, the recognition came as a complete surprise.
“I was totally amazed to win not one but two Harrow Heroes Awards. When I heard about all the wonderful volunteering that the other finalists do for people in Harrow I thought that they should all be winners. I am very grateful that my years of work for Pinner, much of it behind the scenes and working with my committee colleagues, has been recognised. I now have to live up to the billing!”
How Ruth became involved with The Pinner Association
Ruth’s involvement began almost by accident at a meeting in 2004.
She was attending The Pinner Association’s autumn Half Yearly Meeting when the then honorary secretary announced she was stepping down.
Ruth recalled: “My husband dug me firmly in the ribs and said that as our younger son had just started at university I would have the time to undertake this task, and then he stood up and said his wife would be available to be considered as the new ‘Hon Sec’.”
She was invited to attend an executive committee meeting and began taking minutes at the start of 2005 before being formally elected as honorary secretary at that year’s AGM.
Her previous career was far removed from committee administration.
“I am not a trained typist (I was a professional scientist) so it was good that by that date home computers were available.”
More than just taking minutes
The role has grown considerably over the years.
Alongside recording committee meetings, Ruth is the main contact between The Pinner Association and the Charity Commission and works with the treasurer and other committee members on the charity’s annual reports and returns.
She also organises committee meetings, helps arrange the annual AGM at Pinner Village Hall, updates the association’s website and now works on planning and licensing matters.
Ruth said that the way residents contact the association has also changed significantly.
“In earlier years I received many ‘phone calls from our members and other Pinner residents concerned about all sorts of local issues but nowadays the vast majority of contacts are via email.”
Keeping Pinner’s community traditions alive
One of Ruth’s proudest achievements is simply seeing The Pinner Association continue to operate when many similar organisations have disappeared.
“I am proud that The Pinner Association is still an active and effective local amenity society as so many residents’ associations have ceased to exist over the years.”
The association is also behind a number of familiar events and features around Pinner.
It funds and organises four free open-air summer concerts at Pinner Memorial Park each year and hopes to celebrate its 25th season next year if enough volunteers can be found.
The association also funds festive lamppost lights for Diwali, along with Christmas trees and lights in Pinner High Street.
Ruth added: “However we do need more, younger, committee members and other active volunteers if we are to be able to continue our work to conserve and enhance the quality of life in Pinner.”
How Pinner has changed
After more than 20 years with the association, Ruth has seen significant changes across Pinner and Pinner South.
She said many older residents have downsized or moved away, with their homes increasingly bought and extended by younger families.
In central Pinner, she pointed to the new cycleway along Marsh Road and the decline in the number of traditional retail shops as two of the most noticeable changes.
Looking to the future
Ruth said she wants Pinner to remain somewhere families want to live and an area residents continue to feel proud of.
“I would like to see Pinner and Pinner South remain as places where people wish to bring up their families and remain as a pleasant outer London suburb we are proud to call home.”
She also believes organisations such as The Pinner Association will continue to play an important role in responding to planning proposals and consultations.
Ruth said proposed changes contained within the Draft New London Plan could have an impact on Green Belt land, housing density and the height of future developments.
She added: “That is why local amenity and civic societies, such as The Pinner Association, who submit responses to many consultations on these types of proposals, are still relevant if people wish to have a say in the character of the area in which we live.”
Anyone interested in volunteering with The Pinner Association can contact information@pinnerassociation.co.uk or visit the association’s website and social media pages.
NOW READ:
Community Spotlight: The story behind Meeting Palace in Wealdstone
Community Spotlight: New chapter for Pinner’s Oddfellows Arms
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
