amerton railway
Railway volunteers recognised by royalty
A
NARROW gauge railway volunteer team has been recognised for their work in the community.
A total of seven voluntary groups across Staffordshire have been honoured with Her Majesty the Queen s Award for Voluntary Service. The honour recognises outstanding voluntary contributions in local communities and has an equivalent status for voluntary groups as the MBE has for individuals. Groups recognised in this year s awards include Staffordshire Narrow Gauge Railway at Amerton, near Stafford; along with Changes Tamworth; The Fun Club Hub, Burntwood; Marchington Village Shop; Spark CIO, Burntwood; Walk Ministries, Tunstall; and Whittington and Fisherwick Good Neighbour Scheme. Pete Gully, Chairman of Amerton Railway said: It is amazing to see what our volunteers have accomplished here at Amerton Railway, and we are honoured to receive this award. Being able to engage with our local communities and visitors, and share our knowledge about the locomotives, rolling stock and other artefacts we have on site is a pleasure. We would like to say thank you to our volunteers, both past and present, and to the local community for their ongoing support. In the coming months, the seven groups are set to receive their certificate signed by Her Majesty The Queen along with an exclusive commemorative crystal presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr Ian Dudson CBE KStJ who is Her Majesty s representative for the county. Mr Dudson said: I am delighted that we
have several more winners again this year, taking the overall number of winners in Staffordshire to over 100 since the awards started in 2003. This year s winners are shining examples of the hundreds of organisations in this County whose volunteers improve the lives of others in our communities. We are all extremely grateful for what they do. It is particularly appropriate this year that a number of them have been recognised for their additional contributions during the pandemic. I would like to send the winners my warmest congratulations and look forward hopefully to being able to present their awards to each of them later in the year. Mr Paul Snape, Chairman of Staffordshire County Council, added: Where would we be without our many volunteers, it is clear to me that the people of Staffordshire are always ready to help in any way they can without seeking reward. Only on days like today do we have the opportunity to pay tribute to the many people who give so freely of their time and expertise to the benefit of others. Once again my sincere congratulations to all our winners. Representatives from the groups are also set to receive an invitation to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. To date 105 groups from Staffordshire have now received this annual Award since it was created by Her Majesty in 2002. For details of all this year s award winners and information on how to nominate a group go online to: https://qavs.direct.gov.uk where a nomination form can be completed and submitted online. Nominations for 2022 need to be submitted by September 15, 2021.
