Society wins award for aeroplane work

The Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society of volunteer workers has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The group supports the Shuttleworth Collection in Old Warden both with engineering work and financially.

Members assist with major overhauls of planes, making parts that are no longer available. They also help manoeuvre and refuel aircraft on event days as well as helping with necessary jobs on the day such as selling programmes.

This unique UK national honour, the highest for groups of volunteers, was created by the Queen over a decade ago to recognise the outstanding contributions that volunteers make to their local communities.

It has an equivalent status for voluntary groups as the MBE has for individuals.

This year’s award recipients were selected from more than 300 groups. The groups were nominated by members of the public who have seen the difference the volunteers have made to the lives of others or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in their community.

Special presentations will be held for each group later this year.

The other successful groups in Bedfordshire were Diverse FM and OM Group in and around Luton, Primrose Car Service Volunteers, who provide transport for cancer patients and Road Victims Trust Bedfordshire Volunteers.

Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, said ”The news that this year five Bedfordshire volunteer groups have been honoured in this very special way by Her Majesty the Queen is a tremendous illustration of the wonderful service given by so many volunteers in our different communities.

“Bedfordshire is a very special, vibrant place where volunteer groups are encouraged, supported and able to flourish.”

Nominations are already open for the 2015 awards. Go to www.gov.uk/queens-award-for-voluntary-service before Tuesday, September 30 to nominate a group.