Queens Award for Voluntary Service - Newmilns Regeneration Association and Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise

Statement by H.M. Lord-Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran ,Sheriff Iona McDonald

Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran, Sheriff Iona McDonald is pleased to announce that Newmilns Regeneration Association and Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise have been awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service

Newmilns Regeneration Association were formed in 2014 and since then they have launched their own logo, website and branded merchandise and secured funding for street furniture to make the town more appealing.  They have hosted community update events, a coffee and cake reminiscing day which allowed people to bring old photographs and chat about the old days.  The Association hold their Annual Community Christmas Fayre, regular litter picks and clean ups, and in the last year they have developed a Masterplan. This details their plans for a Town Centre refurbishment keeping the spirit of community regeneration at the forefront of their work.

Newmilns Regeneration Association held their first Food Festival in 2016, the first ever in East Ayrshire. This was a phenomenal success with over 2500 people attending, not only putting Newmilns, but also East Ayrshire on the culinary map of Scotland. This was held again in 2017 and planning for 2018 is at an advanced stage

Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise was formed in May 2013. This well respected charity has a strong focus on delivery of facilities, programmes and resources to encourage regular participation in sports and physical activity, regardless of any barriers such as age or ability. At present, there are over 60 volunteers, including parents, senior school pupils and members of the local community who give up their free time to deliver a range of programmes.

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen's coronation. It is the equivalent of an MBE for volunteer groups. Nominations for the Award are the subject of extensive and detailed scrutiny a specialist assessment panel of independent volunteering experts from across the United Kingdom. Her Majesty The Queen makes the award on the advice of the relevant Government Minister and the public announcement is made on 2 June to coincide with the anniversary of The Queen’s coronation.

The Lord-Lieutenant said “This is the first time that groups in East Ayrshire have been awarded the QAVS and it is testimony to the hard work carried out by members of the groups They have done so much in such a short time and I am looking forward to meeting them when I present the Awards”

Marie Johnson, Chair of Newmilns Regeneration Association said” I am delighted and honoured that Newmilns Regeneration Association has been recognised in this way. I cannot thank the members of the Association and the community of Newmilns enough for their ongoing support, it makes everything that we do worthwhile”

Eric Bennett – Trustee of CJCE said  “We are delighted to have our organisation and volunteers recognised by receiving The Queens Award for Voluntary Service. In the last year, we’ve had over 52,000 visits to Townhead Community Sports Hub to participate in a range of activities. This would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the fantastic volunteers who undertake a variety of roles such as football coaching, Committee work, team administration or doing maintenance tasks. We are proud of the inclusive community we have created through sport at Townhead. Park Cumnock”