Cockermouth-based charity, Kirkgate Arts and Heritage, has been honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the UK's highest accolade for volunteer groups.
The award was presented to Rob Higgins, chair of the Kirkgate’s board of trustees, at a special ceremony by the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Alexander Scott.
Lord Lieutenant Scott, the King’s representative in Cumbria, was supported by Deputy Lord Lieutenants Chris Holmes and Caroline Thomson.
After presenting the signed certificate by the King and the domed glass crystal award, Lord Lieutenant Scott said: "You should all be very proud.
"This award represents a great day for the organisation.
"The requirements are demanding.
"It needs to be volunteer led, largely volunteer delivered and well ran in all areas."
The Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Alexander Scott (left), presents the King’s Award to Rob Higgins, chair of the Kirkgate’s board of trustees (Image: Supplied)
Mr Higgins thanked those involved in the charity.
He said: "The award is ‘for outstanding achievement by groups of volunteers’ and we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all of you, our volunteers, who play such a crucial role in the life of the Kirkgate.
"We’ll be putting on over 400 events in the coming year across a wide range of activities.
"We’re also planning some significant infrastructure improvements.
"We couldn’t do any of this without the help of our 100 plus volunteers so a big thank you to all of you."
Following the presentation of the King’s Award, the Lord Lieutenant unveiled the Civic Trust public information panel, which celebrates the history of the Kirkgate building.
The panel shares its journey from its beginnings as All Saints National School in 1869 to the thriving arts and heritage centre it is today.
Significant to the building's rescue was Peter Colley, then vice chair of the Civic Trust, which led the campaign in 1990 to save the Kirkgate from demolition.
The panel is a tribute to Mr Colley's major contribution and was funded in his memory by his widow, Barbara Colley.
Their son, Dan Colley, who represented Ms Colley at the ceremony, spoke about his mother's pleasure over the panel, and how both of his parents would be pleased to see how the building is used today.
From left to right – Deputy Lord Lieutenant Caroline Thomson, Kirkgate board of trustees chair Rob Higgins, Lord Lieutenant Alexander Scott, Kirkgate general manager Emma Heys and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Chris Holmes (Image: Supplied)
The process behind the King’s Award involves assessors from the area who research and visit nominated groups before submitting a report on their suitability.
Local assessment panels then decide which nominations to put forward to the National Assessment Committee, which selects a shortlist for approval by the King.
Groups must consist of at least three individuals, be led by volunteers rather than paid staff, have been operational for a minimum of three years, and be based within the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
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