We have been extremely delighted and honoured to have been given awards for our work.  To have been recognised in this way is  an unexpected and humbling bonus for what has been a really enjoyable project for all of us.

THE QUEEN'S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE 2006

 

 

On July 21st 2006 we were presented with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service by Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher Bt JP, Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire.  We had been nominated by Sue Forsyth, Regional Adviser for the Countryside Agency Doorstep Greens Scheme with an additional local reference from Julia Seal, Chief Executive of Milton Keynes Community Foundation.

In his speech Sir Henry said,

“I have enormous respect for the Wolverton Secret Garden Society.  The nomination made for them to be recognised speaks for itself.  Julia Seal, CE of the Milton Keynes Community Foundation wrote “The Secret Garden is a local community project, where local people have taken the initiative to create a wonderful green environment, building on the archaeology of the Victorian railway town, and involving all sectors of the community”. Michael Murray, one of my Deputy Lieutenants who was CE of MK Council for many years and was on the panel that assessed the group earlier this year said in endorsing the nomination “This project makes the link between past and present that everyone, especially the young, can enjoy today, it is a highly original idea”.

 

 

Two of our volunteers, Bernard Dackombe and Dave Persaud,attended a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in recognition of the award.

 

 

 

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BTCV GREEN HEROES AWARD

COMMUNITY GROUP OF THE YEAR - SOUTH EAST

At the first of the free concerts in June 2006 the Secret Garden the Wolverton Secret GardenSociety members were presented with with their award by BTCV Project Officer Alison Smith.  In her speech Alison said, "

"Since the Wolverton Secret Garden Project got underway in 2003, a haven for wildlife and people has been created. This whole area has been transformed from a derelict brown field site (and potential housing plot!) into a fantastic community resource.  We are all here today and able to enjoy this space because of the endeavours of local volunteers that have made this happen.

 If you look around you now, all that you see has come about through the actions of local volunteers, all this is here for us to enjoy because of the determination of volunteers. There are not many things one gets to do in life that will be around for generations of people to enjoy. This is one of those things."

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  THAMES & CHILTERN BRITAIN IN BLOOM 2005

BEST EXAMPLE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

In 2005 the Secret Garden was included as part of Milton Keynes' entry in the 'Britain in Bloom'

competition and although the whole entry did not win, the Secret Garden was singled out for the special community involvement award.

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This Civic Trust award scheme recognises high quality green spaces in England & Wales that are managed by voluntary and community groups.We had to prepare an annual management plan as part of our entry and intend to apply every year to be judged so that we can continue to maintain the Secret Garden to a high standard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

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THAMES & CHILTERN BRITAIN IN BLOOM 2006

NEIGHBOURHOOD AWARDS

 

 

In 2006 'Britain in Bloom began a new category for neighbourhood gardens.  The Secret Garden was judged as 'Outstanding' - the highest accolade. pictured below, Sue Westell, Dave Persaud and Roger Kitchen receive the certificate.