Hector Pinkney MBE who has served the local community in Handsworth for most of his life.
HECTOR Pinkney, known to his neighbourhood as “Mr Handsworth”, was given the Royal seal of approval in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. The modest 58-year-old said news of the MBE made his “heart tremble” after years of devoting himself to the inner-city community. By day, granddad Hector works as a security officer at Handsworth Library but his countless duties and network of contacts have made him the go-to man for people across the area. Events he’s behind include a weekly running club and exercise classes for the Soho Elders’ Group. He set up a karate club and organises benefit nights. He has also become a youth mentor and helps the library hold talent competitions and live music events. He said: There are a lot more people in the community who deserve a lot more. I know I just do my best whatever I do.” Handsworth’s reputation as a “no-go area” would be lifted by the award, he said. Hector’s family has been involved in community work since arriving in Handsworth from Jamaica in 1962. He worked with his sister Dolores helping young people on the Dojo community project. His late mother Mavis used to run an informal youth club from the front room of her home in Leonard Road back in the 1960s and she campaigned to launch the Muhammad Ali Centre. The building in Hockley is now derelict but Hector is hoping to get it back open. “My mum brought me here to make a life,” he added. “She shines down on me in everything I do and she would be saying ‘well done son, that’s why I brought you up to be a good lad’.”
Size: 3413px × 5120px
Location: Handsworth Library, Handsworth, Birmingham, UK
Photo credit: © David Warren / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: civic, handsworth, hector, inspiration, local, mbe, neighbourhood, pinkney, pride
