North West Chilterns Community Board celebrate the Proud of Bucks Awards at Party in the Park

The award ceremony was held at the Community Board’s annual event “Party in the Park”. The event itself was very well attended so the atmosphere for these awards was favourable as everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves.

Matthew Walsh (Chairman), Carl Etholen (Vice Chairman) and Greg Smith MP presented these awards and Greg did a small speech at the end on the value of community and thanked everyone for the work that they do.

Matthew Walsh, Chairman of the Community Board said: “A huge congratulations and thank you to all nominees who are doing an outstanding and extremely valued job in the community. The work from individuals and groups is inspiring and we appreciate the time and dedication by all.”

Local Community Champion

Winner: Valerie Jenkinson

Valerie was nominated for working hard in the community and always thinking of others. For example, last Christmas (2022) she brought the community together for Christmas day and has set a president for further community gatherings.

Valerie set up the Christmas lunch which is cooked by herself for people on their own. She raised all the fund’s and ran and organised the event at Longburrow Hall, Stokenchurch. She also organised deliveries for those that could not attend due to mobility issues.

Although Valerie couldn’t attend she was presented with her awards by Stokenchurch Parish Council. She emailed the board manager and said: “Thank you so much. The awards are lovely. It does make a difference to all my volunteers and myself to be recognised for helping the community.”

Highly Commended: Leigh Axe

Leigh was nominated for working tirelessly for the older and younger members in Lacey Green. He is the lead in organising the ‘Over 50’s Lunch Club’ each month, especially when the village pub changed owners and the new owners needed convincing that they should continue.

Leigh is the secretary of the Millennium Village Hall and takes on alot of the day to day running and liaising with contractors, along with belonging and being secretary to the Horticultural Society. He ensures that any resident that wishes to attend any of the meetings in the village has transport there and back, he even organises taxi’s in special circumstances.

Leigh commented: “If we all do a kindness when we are able then I’d be happy for someone else to get this.”

Young Community Champion

Winner: Olivia Lee

Olivia is the Chairperson of Pipers Corner HOPE group (environmental and sustainability group). Pipers Corner is the first school in the country to have an environmentalist-in-residence, who works with HOPE.

Olivia is committed to tackling the Climate Emergency at a local level. She wants to support others with understanding the important issues surrounding sustainability, and provides practical strategies for improvements.

As Olivia wasn’t able to attend the event the board manager did a doorstep drop on 31st July. Olivia said: “I’m so pleased to achieve such an amazing award. It’s fantastic to have been a part of raising environmental awareness within my school and the wider community, and I hope to continue making a difference in the future.”

Community Group Contribution

Winner: Stokenchurch Youth Crew

This group make a positive difference to the youth of the village, encouraging young people to be part of the community.

The club started from absolute scratch. They had no money so carried out lots of fund raising, started a committee and obtained all the legal requirements.

Over 50 children attend the youth club which is held every week in school time. This club is run purely by volunteers and they are a credit to the community.

Highly Commended: Whiteleaf Conservation Volunteers

The Chiltern Society volunteer groups carry out vital work across the Community Board area to restore and enhance the special natural heritage of the Chilterns for the benefit of wildlife and local people.

The volunteers work hard to also keep footpaths well maintained so everyone can enjoy their local nature and landscape. Volunteering improves the health and wellbeing of the volunteers themselves and for the general public who use these well maintained open spaces.