Award from The King is crowning glory for Blunsdon volunteers
A group of volunteers who give up their time to support a village café and shop in Blunsdon have today (14 Nov) been given a special award by His Majesty The King.
Published: Tuesday, 14th November 2023
Blunsdon Community Shop and Café, an accessible, inclusive village community shop and café, has been given The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The Kings Award for Voluntary Service celebrates the many fantastic charities and groups who go the extra mile to make a positive difference to improving the lives of local people
It is the highest award given to charities, voluntary groups and organisations in the UK and can give them a huge boost and help them to continue to grow and develop.
The latest winners have been announced today on the birthday of HM The King, 14 November 2023.
It is estimated that more than 200 volunteers have supported the shop over the last 20 years. Currently, there are more than 40 volunteers who man the shop on a rota basis and deliver the daily support service to the village.
The Blunsdon Community Shop and Café moved into its brand-new new premises in March this year and was officially opened by TV presenter Nick Knowles.
The team, including many volunteers now provide a cafe, promote and sell crafts from local artists, and offer a meeting place and warm-space for older people.
Representatives of the shop and café will receive the award crystal and certificate from Sarah Rose Troughton, Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, later this year. In addition, two volunteers from the Blunsdon Community Shop and Café will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2024, along with other recipients of this year’s award.
The Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Sarah Troughton, said: “I am delighted when groups are recognised for the unique services they provide to their communities. The Blunsdon Community Shop and Cafe demonstrate the power of volunteers and local action to help people with different needs. They have provided outstanding services, and their awards are justly deserved.”
Jan Milsom, Acting Chair of the Blunsdon Community Shop and Café, said: “The Blunsdon Shop Management Committee are extremely proud to have won this prestigious award. We have all worked extremely hard this past year to launch our new shop and café, something we couldn’t have achieved without the support of our volunteers.
“This award is very fitting and demonstrates what you can achieve when you have a joint vision, desire and a drive to succeed for the benefit your local community.”
Councillor Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “The volunteers in Blunsdon have done an incredible job over the last 20 years so I’m absolutely delighted they have been recognised by His Majesty The King through this coveted award.
“We are very fortunate to have an army of volunteers across the Borough, just like the ones at the Blunsdon Community Shop and Café, who do all manner of things to support local residents. I’d like to thank all of them for everything they do and for making such a positive difference to their local communities.”