HARD-working volunteers at the Brandon Marsh Nature Centre have been honoured with the highest award a UK voluntary group can receive.
The Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Timothy Cox presented them with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) – the equivalent of an MBE – for 50 years of dedicated work.
Volunteers past and present, local dignitaries and representatives from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust celebrated the efforts of a team who have committed over 100,000 hours of work since forming in 1968.
Brandon Marsh voluntary conservation team chairman Dave Evans said: “The award was completely unexpected by the team. You only had to look at the faces at the presentation to see it meant more to us than can be expressed.
“We are deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award for over 50 years of effort by a raft of volunteers, many of whom are no longer with us, and hope this inspires more people to volunteer their time and skills to worthwhile causes.”
Karl Curtis of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust said the volunteers’ commitment was worthy of recognition.
He said: “Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve is a healthy and vibrant place for wildlife due to the group’s knowledge and dedication.
“They work in all weathers to practically manage and enhance the wetlands, woodlands and meadows for a huge variety of local wildlife.
“Plus, our visitors get to benefit from their labour too, with a nature-rich place to enjoy. We extend our thanks and congratulations to them for their outstanding work.”
Visit www.tinyurl.com/y3ty657z to find out more about the Brandon Marsh Voluntary Conservation Team.
