A voluntary group from Shanklin who work in the community to promote Brass Band Music amongst young musicians, has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
In addition to providing low cost music tuition to budding musicians at its Saturday morning Brass Academy, the Band – which itself became a charity in 2011 – also supports many other Island charities and organisations in their fund raising efforts.
The Band’s current home is the Grade II listed Rylstone Chalet which is currently being restored to its former glory by a team of dedicated volunteers. The Band is proud to promote both Shanklin and the Island whenever it competes in Brass Band Contests on the Mainland.
Malcolm and Karen Lewis, together with their daughter Charlotte, from Shanklin Town Brass Band, attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace on 24th May where they met the Queen and other winners of this year’s award.
Shanklin Town Brass Band is one of 193 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of awards given to groups this year is slightly higher than last year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to tackle community challenges.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on 2 June – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
Shanklin Town Brass Band will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight later this summer.
Chairman and co-founder of the Band, Karen Lewis said that the Band were very proud to have received the award, which recognises the work, dedication, and achievements of the Band and its volunteers, since it was formed 22 years ago.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Sir Martyn Lewis said:
“I warmly congratulate all of the inspirational voluntary groups who have been rewarded for their community work with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The judging panel for this year’s awards were struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups.
The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the very best of democracy in action.”
