VOLUNTEERS from a village hub are celebrating being recognised with an award equivalent to an MBE.

Chalke Valley Stores and Cafe is part of the community hub based in Broad Chalke, run by a dedicated group of around 45 active volunteers. On the King's birthday, the community was awarded The King's Award for Voluntary Service.

The King's Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King.

There are around 45 active volunteers in the community hubThere are around 45 active volunteers in the community hub (Image: Tony Patel) This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE, awarded for life.

Achieving the award is a lengthy process, beginning with a nomination before an assessment from the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Rose Troughton who will assess the group. If successful, a Royal approval of the shortlisted groups will be made before they are officially announced on the King's birthday, November 14.

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Manager Tony Patel said: "It's tremendous - a really good achievement to be recognised. When you think of how many volunteer services there are countrywide, to be recognised for that is just amazing. 

"People from all walks of life help out, we're not just a shop, we are a hub for people; a lifeline during Covid for so many and literally even on a weekly basis we have so many groups that rely on us."

The hub is based at Broad Chalke United Reformed ChurchThe hub is based at Broad Chalke United Reformed Church (Image: Tony Patel)

These groups include Dementia groups and walking groups, as well as locals and tourists.

Tony added: "We were just struck by how we were recognised - we never expected it."

Representatives of Chalke Valley Stores will now receive the award crystal and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire and in May and June 2025, they will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace along with other recipients of this year's award.

The community hub is based at the United Reform Church on High Road. It is open from 9am-5pm on Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm on a Saturday, and the cafe and Post Office are open for a few hours during the week. For more information, visit the website here.