THE tenth Services to Farnham Awards ceremony was held to celebrate the voluntary work of 11 individuals.

The awards were given on Monday, February 26, by the Mayor of Farnham, Mike Hodge. and between them the recipients have given well over 280 years of their time to volunteering.

Helping people in difficulty and fundraising thousands of pounds are just some of the ways that these individuals have made Farnham a better place.

Mr Hodge said: “It was an honour to present the awards to these selfless individuals.

“The statements of nomination are heart-warming and provide a glimpse into how generous and dedicated these people are in both giving and sharing their time to improve the community.

“In some way, they have all changed people’s lives for the better and they are to be congratulated and thanked for all that they do.”

Each recipient was nominated by a local organisation or member of the public.

George Alford, current chairman of the Friends of Farnham hospital and recipient for services to the community of Farnham, said: “I was very surprised, I wasn’t expecting it at all.

“It’s lovely to be absorbed as part of the community in such a way.”

A panel of community representatives then considered the nominations and put forward their winning selections to a meeting of the full council in January.

Janet Fraser, assistant district commissioner for Beavers Scouts in Farnham and recipient for services to Farnham Scouts, said: “I feel honoured, at the same time I feel that there are so many brilliant leaders in Farnham, I feel that they all deserve it equally really.

“Thank you to the terrific leaders.

“It’s (Beavers Scouts) fabulous, wonderful yes, to see all the youngsters really enjoying the things they do.

“Whenever I think of not having it, I wouldn’t want to be without doing Scouts and things.”

District explorer Scout commissioner for Farnham and recipient for services to Farnham District Explorer Scouts, Ian Wilkins, said: “It was quite unexpected and it’s a lot of hard work but it’s great to be recognised for me and all the people that help me in what we do.

“I’m really proud of Scouting and all the work that we do for young people, I think it’s really important work.

“There’s a lot of good people in Farnham, doing a lot of good stuff.”

The Services to Farnham Awards are inspired and sponsored by Sir Ray Tindle CBE DL.

Winning the award for services to Farnham Brass Band was Elizabeth Meade who said: “It’s a real honour, it was quite strange having all that stuff read out and said about me, just didn’t realise I’d done quite so much for the band but it hasn’t felt like a chore, it’s been such a pleasure and the time’s gone by in a blur really, it’s lovely.

“It’s lovely to meet people here this evening because you network with other people and you start picking up other charities and people you can play for and help.

“I was really touched that somebody had taken the time to write all that stuff.”

Another winner was Maureen Grew for her services to the community of Farnham.

She said: “I’m absolutely stunned, I was absolutely amazed to be given it, when I had the phone call I was just absolutely gobsmacked.

“It’s an effort that a lot of people have put in, I’ve had a lot of support from friends and especially from my husband, I couldn’t have done it without that support.

“I’ve felt very proud and very honoured and delighted to be part of Farnham.

“I think we’re a very close community, I think it’s really nice that so many people volunteer and do so many different things in the town I think it makes it somewhere that’s really special to live.”

Bob Hockey has been a member of the Hedgehogs since 1972 and won the award for services to Farnham Hedgehogs.

He said: “I’m pretty chuffed to be perfectly honest.

“It came as a complete surprise, I never expected it and I think it’s good for the organisation and that’s one of the reasons why I accepted it.

“I’ve been here a couple of times because I’ve nominated people for one thing and another, but there’s one thing nominating somebody and there’s another thing actually receiving the award yourself.”

Below are details of each recipient of the Services to Farnham awards:

• George Alford

For services to the community of Farnham

George Alford has made an immense contribution to a wide range of organisations in Farnham. As the a trustee of the local Victim Support Charity, and as a trustee of the Dempster Trust, George has made a real difference helping individuals and organisations that require sometimes urgent help by finding innovative ways to help those in need.

George was president of the Farnham Rotary in 2016, introducing regular breakfast meetings for other community-minded individuals in order to draw them together to improve understanding of local needs and to encourage communication as well as supporting local charities.

As president of the Friends of Farnham Hospital and Centre for Health, George used his excellent knowledge of health services and structures, to help the trust in making the best decisions for Farnham Hospital and the local community.

George works tirelessly, innovatively and selflessly for charitable organisations in many different ways and is highly thought of for his many ne qualities.

• Alexa Barrow

For services to the Old Kiln Museum (Rural Life Centre)

Alexa Barrow has made a tremendous volunteering contribution for more than 35 years.

From the start of the Old Kiln Museum, Alexa was a key volunteer helping Henry and Madge Jackson with their private collection. From 1984, Alexa became a hard-working trustee, with particular responsibility for ‘Care of the Collection’, which she undertook, until recently, with great dedication and tenacity.

Alexa did much to secure the future of the museum when it was most needed; obtaining grants to make regular improvements, writing polices, and providing guidance. She also led the arduous task of achieving accreditation and reaccreditation of the museum underpinning the professional approach and the emphasis on the visitor experience.

Among the many volunteers who have helped make the Rural Life Centre what it is today Alexa Barrow stands out, and her outstanding commitment, hard work and dedication make her a worthy award recipient.

• Janet Fraser

For services to Farnham Scouts

Janet Fraser has been involved in Scouting for 40 years. Janet has actively supported the 2nd Hale Scouts since 1989 and now leads all of Farnham’s Beaver Colonies as Assistant District Commissioner – Beavers, recruiting and retaining leaders and starting new colonies where there is a need, notably in Wrecclesham and Rowledge.

Softly spoken and charming, Janet is professional, organised and capable, and leads a thriving section with long waiting lists of eager would be Beavers. Janet is a key motivator of local events and ensuring Farnham’s participation in activities further afield.

Scouting in Farnham is thriving due to the efforts of a team of dedicated leaders: Janet has contributed greatly to this success for the past 30 years and is a worthy recipient of the Services to Farnham Award.

• Mavis Golding

For services to the community of Farnham

Mavis Golding has been a beacon for local charity work for over almost four decades.

She has volunteered in the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice shop for 35 years and was a principal organiser of the hospice annual Christmas Market at St Thomas on The Bourne Church until 2014 helping to raise thousands of pounds for this important local charity.

For over 25 years Mavis has conducted house-to-house collections for the Royal British Legion being commended by them for her contribution. In addition she has co-ordinated and collected for the annual Christian Aid week appeal for over 30 years, as well as arranging plant sales, coffee mornings and recitals at St Thomas-on-the Bourne to raise funds for the charity.

Mavis is a superb example of dedication to her local community, giving of her time, energy and care in a wholly unstinting way. Farnham needs more people like her.

• Maureen Grew

For services to the community of Farnham

Maureen Grew has, for her whole life in Farnham, worked tirelessly in charity and community work, never seeking publicity or reward other than to do good for others. Maureen is a person who can be totally relied upon.

Maureen has been the chairperson for the Farnham Homemakers for over 40 years using her great organisational skills in arranging visits and speakers for the monthly meetings and has leads the Farnham Assist ‘knit and natter’ group providing a wonderful service for those needing companionship.

As a keen member of St Andrew’s Parish Church, Maureen has served as churchwarden and as a member of the parochial church council and for many years was responsible for the church catering events. In 2017, Maureen took responsibility, at very short notice, for leading the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal resulting in approximately 20,000 shoeboxes being despatched to under privileged children in Europe.

Maureen carries out all her tasks with great care and compassion and with little fuss or bother always there when needed.

• Keith Harris

For services to Farnham Lions

Keith Harris joined Farnham Lions in November 2005 and has made an exceptional contribution in all sections of the club. His roles included being chair of the Social, Membership & Development and Events committees as well as being president in 2014-15 while also making an immense contribution to both the Farnham Carnival and the Beerex committees.

Keith has remarkable skills that include a highly focused vision, exceptional motivational skills and an infectious personality evidenced by three major events he led with unparalleled success. The three events between them enabled Farnham Lions to donate some £100,000 to the local community.

Ever-closer relationships between the Lions and Farnham Town Council in implementing community activities have been forged by Keith with the support of a wide range of volunteers.

Keith applies his exceptional enthusiasm, caring nature and business acumen through the Farnham Lions to make a real difference to deserving causes within the local Farnham community.

• Robert Hockey

For services to Farnham Hedgehogs

Robert Hockey (Bob) has been an active member of the Farnham Hedgehogs since 1973.

As chairman from 2013 to April 2017, Bob initiated and oversaw a number of wide-ranging changes raising both the impact and awareness of The Hedgehogs within Farnham.

As a result of Bob’s energy, leadership (and at times obstinacy), the Hedgehogs are more active at many events in the town and surrounding villages, some fundraising with others volunteering at events such as Remembrance Day, food fayres and the Christmas lights switch-on. The Hedgehogs are now more widely recognised and regarded as champions for local people who need help in a time of difficulty with financial benefits being distributed mainly for the benefit of individuals but also for the community at large.

Bob has been the prime mover in re-energising and reinventing the Hedgehogs who are now regarded as Farnham’s premier local charity working entirely for the bene t of the people of Farnham and surrounding villages.

• Richard Horton

For services to the environment and Badshot Lea

Richard Horton is the chairman, founder and leader of the Tice’s Meadow Bird Group and has been committed to seeing the Badshot Lea quarry restored to a flagship nature reserve and Site of Nature Conservation Interest with provision for the nationally important and threatened habitats of wet meadow and reedbeds and a home for some 1,075 species.

A knowledgeable nature enthusiast, Richard is always willing to share his knowledge and experience with other members of the group and the wider public and is key in liaison with the site’s owners and other organisations to ensure that the needs of the wildlife on site are considered at all times.

Richard regularly leads public walks for the Surrey Bird Club; is involved with the conservation activities of the Badshot Lea Community Association and sits on the board of the Badshot Lea Kiln village hall.

Richard is a true local hero for ensuring that the local community is engaged with the natural environment on its doorstep for over thirty years.

• Elizabeth Meade

For services to Farnham Brass Band

Elizabeth Meade (Liz) joined the Farnham Crosby concert band, predecessor to the Farnham Brass band in 1977 as principal trombone.

Over the years, Liz has been carried out a wide range of roles including conductor, a committee member, recruiter, location manager and teacher as well as chairman for five years, Through the ups and downs of the band, Liz has been a constant support, getting funding and helping the band evolve into the well-established institution it is today. Liz was also one of the team that was instrumental in getting a bandstand in Gostrey Meadow and in securing rehearsal rooms and storage for the band.

As a real team player, Liz has organised band trips to Germany and Switzerland, fundraising events for local charities and social evenings for band members.

Liz is a reliable club member who is “always there” and has been made an immense contribution to the success of the band such that it is still entertaining the crowds, performing at community events and providing musical education for all.

• Roy Waight

For services the community of Rowledge

Roy Waight has made an exceptional contribution to the local community of Rowledge through his contributions to local history, culture and leisure activities.

After extensive research, Roy published ‘Rowledge- Remote From Civilisation?’ - an illustrated history of Rowledge and developed a series of talks on local history which he has presented to many local organisations and resident groups.

Roy’s professional and entertaining style, together with a wealth of humorous anecdotes, means he is very popular and much in demand. In addition, in collaboration with Phil Thomas, Roy developed a series of illustrated walks around Rowledge, with all proceeds being generously donated to the local community.

Roy has become the acknowledged ‘village historian’ and is the prime point of reference on all local history matters in Rowledge.

Through his publications, presentations and infectious enthusiasm, Roy has inspired considerable interest in the history of Rowledge and encouraged local residents to take up walking and keep t.

• Ian Wilkins

For services to Farnham District Explorer Scouts

Ian Wilkins has been an Explorer Scout Leader in Farnham for many years helping young people span the challenging teenage years in a structured setting.

As District Commissioner for Explorer Scouts, Ian has brought together four separate units into a single District enabling a much more diverse programme than was previously possible; and leads activities that add value to community events with Explorer Scouts marshalling and providing other support

In recent years, Ian has taken groups of Explorer Scouts to Portugal, the Spanish Jamboree in Gran Canaria and many UK locations providing experiences that the young people would not get any other way. In addition, Ian leads the organising of the Annual National Explorer and Network Scout Camp called Theme Park Camp, attended by over 400 scouts from all over the country, putting Farnham on the UK scouting map.

Ian thoroughly deserves this award for his tireless work in running Farnham District Explorer Scouts and providing unique opportunities for any young person who wants to get involved.