THE Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Mohammed Saddiq attended Nether Stowey’s Thomas Poole Library last week to present volunteers with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

Mr Saddiq, who was accompanied by Deputy Lieutenant Tom Mayberry, handed the award’s crystal trophy and official certificate to the community library’s first chairman Roger Stacey.

The library, in Castle Street, was closed for the private event and packed with volunteers who run it and representatives of local councils and Somerset Library Services and the Hinkley Point C community fund.

A library spokesperson said: “The volunteers at the Thomas Poole Library were thrilled, honoured, and proud to be given the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Somerset Lord Lieutenant Mohammed Saddiq and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Tom Mayberry are flanked by library volunteers and community representatives at the KAVS presentation in Nether Stowey.
Somerset Lord Lieutenant Mohammed Saddiq and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Tom Mayberry are flanked by library volunteers and community representatives at the KAVS presentation in Nether Stowey. (TPL)

“This is the highest award given to local voluntary groups across the UK, often described as the ‘MBE for volunteer groups’.

“This award belongs to everybody who has supported the library, our volunteers, members, donors, local partners, visitors, and the wider community, who continue to make our library and community hub thrive.

“It was a memorable and joyous event.”

A parish council spokesperson said councillors were ‘delighted’ that the work of the library had been recognised with a KAVS.

They said: “The Kings Award for Voluntary Service recognises their hard work and commitment.

“Congratulations to you all.”

The Thomas Poole Library, in Nether Stowey, has received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The Thomas Poole Library, in Nether Stowey, has received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. (TPL)

The library was among 11 KAVS nominations received in Somerset last year, of which four were successful, including the Exmoor Community Bus Association, based in Dulverton, and only 185 recipients in the whole of England.

KAVS chairman Sir Martyn Lewis said: “For over two decades these annual awards have shown the people of our country at their very best, coming together from all sections of society to touch virtually every area of need.”

Any group of three or more people participating in voluntary work for more than three years can be nominated for the award.