Awards

Friends of Croham Hurst Woods wins The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2014

Maria Gatland, who was Chair at the time, posted the following “I am so delighted to announce that the Friends of Croham Hurst Woods have won The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2014. It is the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary groups. A few of us were invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace and there will be a local presentation of the award. We will also be using the official logo on our newsletters. It is a huge credit to all our volunteers who love and look after our fabulous ancient woodland.

Little did I think eleven years ago when I rashly promised to start a Friends Group if I won the election in 2002 that it would strike such a chord with the local community and remain such a thriving group in 2014.

Not only have we been able to design and provide Information Boards and benches, it has been our major projects like the clearing of over thirty years of scrub from the bank on Upper Selsdon Road, the recreation of the meadow shown on old maps and the removal of two hectares of invasive holly that helped us win the award.

There are so many volunteers who have helped to win this award. I would like to thank each and every one of them.”

Sir Richard Ottaway sent a letter to Maria congratulating everyone on the award and you can view this here: Sir Richard Ottaway letter