Congratulations to the Thomas Poole Library for the Kings Award for Voluntary Service
THE THOMAS POOLE LIBRARY, NETHER STOWEY WINS THE KING’S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE
All of us at the Thomas Poole Library, Nether Stowey are delighted, grateful and proud to announce that we have been given the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. We are among four volunteer groups in Somerset and 231 in the UK to receive the award.
The library is entirely managed and run by volunteers, and (in partnership with Somerset Council) we provide a public library service to Nether Stowey and its surrounding villages. We also play a vital role as a community hub for our growing population. We are a Warm Safe Space, we have a small café, we provide plenty of activities for children and adults, and we host regular evening talks on all kinds of subjects. We have just embarked on a mini-Arts Festival, and also a permanent exhibition on our local environment and heritage; we are planning many future projects, including a mini-Environment Festival and the re-design of the children’s section of the library. All this means a great deal of hard work, and we are thrilled and so grateful that the dedication of our wonderful team of volunteers has been rewarded.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK – indeed, it is equivalent to an MBE. Awards are given to groups that are truly outstanding and making a big difference to their local community, and that have the highest standards in everything they do. The awards are announced on November 14, the King’s birthday. Recipients of the award will be given a certificate signed by the King and a glass crystal trophy, presented by the Lord Lieutenant of the county, and two representatives of the organisation will receive an invitation to a Royal Garden Party.
For us at the Thomas Poole Library, the true reward is that the huge efforts of our amazing team of volunteers have been recognised. We will not rest on our laurels; this award will spur us on to find new ways to promote the joys of books and reading and to serve and support our community.
