Jubilee
Envirokirn – Jubilee Award Winners
We are delighted to have been one of the few Scottish Organisations to win the Queen’s Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service in 2004. Rather than continuing to blow our own trumpets we attach details of the Presentations made on 19 and 29 July 2004 together with an article which appeared in a June 2004 edition of our local newspaper
Jubilee Presentations
On 19 July Brian Chennell and Matt Duffy, representing Envirokirn, travelled to a special Presentation Reception in London. The Reception was held at St James’s Palace and was hosted by the Queen and Prince Philip, both of whom spent time chatting to Brian and Matt. Each of them congratulated Envirokirn on their significant acheivements over the past few years with the Queen commenting in particular on the Group’s success despite its tender years. Envirokirn were one of only 12 groups in Scotland to receive this award.
The Trophy, which is crystal and depicts a laser cut crown, was presented to the Group on 29 July 2004 at a Lunch hosted by the Village Coffee Shop. The Presentation was made by Mr KA McKinnon the Lord Lieutenant of Argyll. The Committee of Envirokirn feel this trophy belongs to the people and village of Kirn and will arrange for its dispaly as soon as a suitable and secure location can be found.
Excerpt from the Dunoon Observer Edition of 4 June 2004:
A group whose five-year improvement campaign has transformed and revitalised their village has had its efforts rewarded by the Queen.
EnviroKirn, a group of local people who were spurred to a village self-improvement scheme by the success of Kirn Gala, has been granted the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service.
It is one of only 12 Scottish organisations to be granted the award, which recognises outstanding achievement in terms of the group’s contribution to the wellbeing of the community.On Tuesday Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell paid tribute to EnviroKirn, saying: “I’m delighted that the group has won this award. They are a credit to their country, their community and their families.
“Volunteers such as these set an example for us all to follow; they dedicate their time and talent to helping those most in need and ask for nothing in return, and it is only right that their commitment be rewarded.
“As we begin Volunteers’ Week I would encourage more Scots to follow their example.”
Representatives of EnviroKirn will attend a reception hosted by the Queen at St James’ Palace on July 19, and an award will be made to the group by the Lord Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute, Kenneth A. MacKinnon, in the near future.
In the past year the village has been a finalist in Scotland in Bloom and were also awarded the FX Tourist Award for Best Village.
Councillor Brian Chennell, who is a member of EnviroKirn, said “This award is not just for EnviroKirn members, but to the community as a whole.“Although EnviroKirn members plan and perform the actual work, this work, and the financing of it, is only achieved through the appreciation and support of the whole community.”
“Our efforts have already been recognised by two prestigious organisations, but this recognition makes a truly fantastic treble.”“I don’t think we can top a treble like this, but I am sure that this will not diminish the group’s excellent work and efforts, which foster and enhance community spirit.”
“The work of EnviroKirn has become a role model for other communities to follow, and shows what can be achieved with positive thinking and effort.”
Said EnviroKirn secretary Matt Duffy: “It’s been a good nine months for both the village and our organisation. Apart from the obvious pleasure and prestige which this recognition brings, Kirn is looking much better thanks to the efforts of EnviroKirn Action Group and our many benefactors – not a bad track record for such a young group.”
The group grew from the original Kirn Gala Committee which Matt joined in 1996 at the invitation of the late Jack Connor of Kirn Post Office.
“I found it interesting and it was nice to be involved,” says Matt, “and a couple of years later Jack’s son David and I were discussing the run-down state of the village and decided to do something about it. We approached other members of the Gala Committee and the rest is history.
“We’ve gone from 11 empty shops to none,” he added. “I think that says it all!”
For more information about
the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
visit their
website.