Posted:02/06/2011
Painshill Park Trust is delighted to announce that its loyal team of volunteers has received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for groups of volunteers who work in their local community for the benefit of others.
This prestigious UK National Honour recognises outstanding voluntary contributions and sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged of the highest standard.
Painshill Park Trust dedicated volunteer group has received the Award for its tireless work to restore the 158-acre landscape and its exquisite but dilapidated follies – originally created by the Hon. Charles Hamilton in the mid 1700s – and open it the public. Over 100 volunteers currently support the Trust and make it possible for visitors (75,000 a year), local school children, local interest groups and students to enjoy the 18th century landscape gardens and its wildlife.
Volunteers help with gardening, school visits, guiding, trusteeship, maintenance and customer service. These individuals share an exceptional breadth of skills and qualifications and play a critical role in every aspect of the Trust’s work.
Those receiving this year’s Award were selected from 413 groups, nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in their community.
Painshill Park Trust, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year, will receive a certificate signed by The Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty’s representative in Surrey, Mrs Sarah Goad at a special ceremony. The group has also received an invitation for representatives to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in the summer.
In his Letter of Support for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service nomination, the prominent Arts philanthropist and former Chair of the National Gallery, Lord (Jacob) Rothschild wrote:
“No group can be more deserving of such an accolade. During the past 30 years that this magnificent Georgian landscape has undergone its quite extraordinary restoration programme, it is these volunteers who have ensured that both the landscape and follies have been transformed and seen by ten of thousands of people each year.”
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Award Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE said,
“Volunteer groups make such an important contribution to their communities, often without praise for the incredible job they do. In these difficult times their efforts are even more valuable. It’s a pleasure to celebrate the achievements of Painshill Park Trust with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and give official recognition for the benefits they bring to others’ lives.”
More than 980 groups around the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man have now received this annual Award since it was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
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