Prestigious Royal Award for Severn Valley Country Park Volunteer Group

Volunteers at a South Shropshire Country Park have been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The award, which was created in 2002 to mark the Monarch’s Golden Jubilee, is the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary groups and recognises excellence in activities carried out by community groups.

It is the highest award given to local volunteer organisations across the UK. The volunteer group was founded back in the early 1990’s by the then Head Ranger Chris Butterworth. From then it has grown to around thirty five members, each person bringing different skills and knowledge to the group. Apart from general duties on site the group assist with events, school visits, children’s activities, guided walks and talks. They also act as advisors on matters such as conservation and bee keeping. The group have been successful in obtaining funding to enhance the park for visitors and wildlife. Previous projects have included restoring wetlands and improving access for the disabled. The group have been given the award for “The continued reclamation of a colliery site to create a country park and wildlife sanctuary.”

The group meets every Tuesday and Thursday, 9am – 3.30pm, mainly at Severn Valley Country Park at Alveley between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster, but the group will also work on other Country Parks and Nature Reserves in the local area from time to time.

There will be an official presentation of the certificate and cut glass vase at the country park on Tuesday 19th September. The presentation will be made by the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Sir Algernon Heber-Percy KCVO.

The group attracts members from a wide area with people travelling from Bridgnorth, Kidderminster, Stourport, Dudley, Brierley Hill and other surrounding villages.

The group is indebted to those individuals who nominated them for this award.

Councillor Lezley Picton (Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure) said,

“The volunteers at Severn Valley Country Park are a wonderful asset. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, the park has been given the Green Flag Award for the last 14 consecutive years. It is fantastic that their efforts are being recognised at the highest level with the Queens Award for Voluntary Service”

Councillor Tina Woodward (Local Member for Alveley and Claverley) said,

“Severn Valley Country Park is such a great facility for local people and visitors alike. It is a well-loved part of the local community and an important area for wildlife. We owe our thanks to Severn Valley Supporters Group for helping to manage the park and enhance its special qualities. The Queens Award is well-deserved!”

Councillor Dave Tremellen (Local Member for Highley) said,

“Volunteering helps people to keep fit, meet new people and make a massive difference to their local environment. The Severn Valley Supporters Group is a great example of a volunteer group that is thriving and I am so pleased that their efforts have been recognised with the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.”

New volunteers are always welcome. Unfortunately we are unable to take new volunteers on Tuesdays but we have plenty of room on Thursdays!

Call 01746 781192 for further information.