22 Mar Lord-Lieutenant congratulates Clun Valley Good Neighbours
The King’s Awards for Voluntary Service (KAVS) awardees are announced annually on 14 November, King Charles III’s birthday. The KAVS is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups for exceptional work carried out in their communities and is the personal recognition by the Sovereign of the contribution they make. In 2023 a total of 262 charities, social enterprises and volunteer groups were chosen from across the UK to receive the prestigious award which is equivalent to an MBE and awarded in perpetuity.
Eight of last year’s recipients were organisations from Shropshire and included Clun Valley Good Neighbours who have befriended and supported vulnerable, isolated and lonely people in the community for the past 30 years. To mark their success The Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Anna Turner was delighted to join over 50 volunteers and guests at a most enjoyable celebratory lunch. Accompanied by Katherine Garnier DL and Fiona Rogers-Coltman DL, Mrs Turner was welcomed by Joan Kerry the recently retired Chair of CVGN and the new Chair Chrissie Verduyn. The Mayor of Clun Ryan Davies was also present.
Since 1993 Clun Valley Good Neighbours has provided a valuable service for members of all ages living in their local, deeply rural community. It was created by volunteers and is 100% run and managed by volunteers who aim to find a way of helping to address the needs of their neighbours, whether related to illness, loneliness, isolation, mental health, transport, medical appointments or dog-walking, gardening, shopping either locally or further afield and household tasks. From the start their ethos was, and still is, that they will do anything they can to find a way of meeting a need or addressing a problem, anywhere in the community.
Before formally introducing the Lord-Lieutenant Joan Kerry remarked how appropriate it was that the event was being held in the Clun Methodist Church and Rooms, as it was in this building in August 1993 that Clun Valley Good Neighbours was formed. She thanked all the volunteers and especially anyone present who had been involved since the beginning of the scheme, some of whom still work on the dedicated phone line today. She also thanked those who had nominated and supported the application for KAVS.
Mrs Turner then warmly congratulated everyone on their outstanding achievement saying how very pleased she was to have the chance to meet so many volunteers. She praised the valuable work they do in the valley, year in and year out, saying that the Award not only recognises and honours exceptional volunteer groups, but also demonstrates the high respect in which volunteering is held.
While enjoying a wonderful lunch provided by the group, the Lord-Lieutenant and her deputies were able to hear more about the wide variety of work the volunteers undertake and thank each person they met for the dedication, time and commitment they give so generously to help ensure the well-being of those who live in the Clun Valley.
Clun Valley Good Neighbours committee members, together with their invited guest Mr Brian Wallace who was the first Chair, will attend an official Award ceremony in April where they will receive a certificate signed by the King and a domed glass crystal. They are also entitled to use The King’s Award emblem on their website, stationery and other printed material. The King had agreed to present the Shropshire Awards himself however, his place will now be taken by his sister, The Princess Royal.
Good Neighbours welcomes new volunteers. For further information please contact the Chair Chrissie Verduyn on 01588 640921.
Photographs taken by Debi Angell
