EXCEPTIONAL service to the community was honoured at Haslemere Town Hall on October 28.

Five dedicated volunteers won Tindle medals as part of the biannual awards ceremony instigated by Herald proprietor Sir Ray Tindle in recognition of oustanding contributions to the life of Haslemere.

Residents nominate those they think deserve the awards twice annually and an independent panel considers the names and recommends those thought worthy of such an honour.

At this week’s ceremony, the independent judging panel’s chairman Hamish Donaldson introduced the successful nominees and their citations were read out by event co-ordinator Fay Foster, before Haslemere mayor John Robini presented each one with their medal.

* Stewart Brown was honoured for his “exemplary” seven-year chairmanship of Haslemere Vision neighbourhood plan – a marathon task involving more than 100 residents, “only achieved through his leadership, determination and commitment which led to literally thousands of hours of work”. The document is now with Waverley Borough Council awaiting a public consultation.

* Judy Burt was recognised for “outstanding” service to Haslewey Community Centre for the past six years. Her volunteering duties started out running the venue single handedly for four months and she manages the invoicing for around 80 clients a month, lending a hand with any number of other jobs – “free activities for children will see Judy staying to help, be it serving tea or dressing up as an elf”.

* Shirley Harrison has nominated and helped research candidates for Haslemere Society’s Blue Plaque scheme, launched in 2008.

Over the past five years, she has researched the lives of the 62 First World War heroes remembered on the town war memorial for a forthcoming book and provided the text and photographs for the Armistice centenary plaques at St Christopher’s Church.

The display “attracted many hundreds of visitors, all of whom were visibly emotionally moved”.

* Vanessa Kemp has given nearly 50 years of service in a number of ways.

She has been involved with the RSCPA branch for more than 30 years, serving as chairman and treasurer – “she also erected cages in her garden where she housed animals for periods until they could be re-homed”. A trustee of Age Concern, she co-ran Haslewey Christmas Day lunches and delivered Meals on Wheels for 15 years. At St Stephen’s Church, she has organised entertainments for the over 60s for 20 years.

* Anne Longhurst has volunteered for many years at her local church as well as 11 years at Haslewey, firstly with the Orchard Club and “will often go that bit further”.

Now in her 80s, she volunteers mostly in the busy kitchen, often as the chief washer-up – “when Anne is on duty in the kitchen it is a happier place because of her kindness and dedication”.