The Chalke Valley Community Hub received The King’s Award for their outstanding voluntary work in Broad Chalke.
This award is their highest possible honor, with winners announced each year on November 14, King Charles III’s birthday. The Chalke Valley hub was among 280 winners in 2024, including charities and community groups.
Derek Brown, chairman, and Tony Patel, general manager, accepted the award. They received a crystal at Friday’s ceremony presented by Dame Sarah Rose Troughton, the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire.
Many important people attended the ceremony, including Lord Talbot, Michael Hodges, and Dr. Olivia Chappell OBE. John Glen, a Salisbury MP, and Sven Hocking, the city mayor, were also present.
Tony Patel said their group felt delighted that their work received recognition. He thanked everyone for their endless support, noting volunteers work hard to help their community and provide an important local service.
The hub contains a shop and cafe. The shop sells bread, fruit, meat, and papers from local suppliers. The cafe serves drinks, cakes, and light meals, and the Post Office is open three days of the week: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Mrs. Troughton was pleased to present the award and meet many volunteers, friends, and neighbors. She said many villages want the hub’s services, describing it as a shop, post office, cafe, and church all in one.
Two volunteers can go to Buckingham Palace to attend a garden party in May, where they will gather with other King’s Award winners.