Helmsley Walled Garden receives The King’s Award for Voluntary Service
We at Helmsley Walled Garden and our dedicated volunteers are immensely grateful to have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This prestigious accolade is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Nurturing people and plants are key values at the heart of our community, which thrives within this beautiful garden. Spending time in nature allows us to learn new skills and find peace in this beautiful sanctuary. We cherish the sense of achievement and ownership that comes from the activities we undertake here, while also fostering a deep sense of belonging and social inclusivity. The hard work and dedication we demonstrate reflect our commitment, and we are thrilled to receive this prestigious accolade. We feel honoured that Helmsley Walled Garden is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups to receive this award this year. Our efforts, alongside those of others across the UK, remind us of the many ways we contribute to our local communities, and we are thankful to be part of this initiative.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups and organisations. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty the Late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and has continued following the accession of His Majesty the King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, announced to the public on the 14th November, The King’s Birthday.
We were delighted to welcome Jo Ropner, Lord Lieutenant for North Yorkshire, to present the award in April 2025. We gathered in the Orchid House for a morning filled with much joy and celebration.
June Tainsh, Executive Director, accepted this prestigious award on behalf of our dedicated volunteers.
The sun shone as we gathered for the presentation
Of course, there was plenty of cake!
Photo credit: Stephen Barstow
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