A former Finsbury pub landlady who turned her boozer into the “heart of the community” has been recognised with an award for her contribution to Islington life.

Philomena Curtin, who ran the White Lion in Central Street for 18 years until its closure last year, was one of the winners of the Mayor’s Civic Awards at the town hall on Tuesday.

She said: “It was totally unexpected. I’m really a behind-the-scenes person but it was fabulous. I was over the moon and really happy for the community because they’ve always supported me.”

She added: “It’s such a shame the pub is closed. We had children who were born when I first started, or were very young, having their first pint with their parents as they reached 18. The pub was there from cradle to grave and for all generations.

“People would sit at the bar and have a conversation with a stranger, and then other people would join in. There was always a trickle of people throughout the day and that was very nice.”

The pub and flats above it were snapped up by property developer Universal Consolidated Group for £2m. The building is to be converted into luxury flats.

Other winners of the Mayor’s Civic Awards were Canon David Bird, vicar of three churches in Tollington and Finsbury Park, the charity workers of Canonbury Help on Your Doorstep, Christopher Cooper, an ambassador for young people with autism, and disability rights campaigner Sandy Marks.

The Ben Kinsella award was presented to Filsan Hassan, who suffers from Williams Syndrome, which affects her heart and general development. She is ambassador for young people with learning disabilities.

• Keywords
  CIVIC AWARDS, PUBLIC HOUSES
• Geographical keyword
  CENTRAL STREET
• Persons keyword
  Central Street White Lion Public House, Philomena Curtin