Watercress Line receives Queen’s Award

THE Mid-Hants Railway has been honoured by receiving The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The award was made in recognition of the contribution by the railway’s dedicated volunteers to local communities over nearly 50 years. It is the highest honour that a voluntary group can receive in the UK, equivalent to an MBE that can be bestowed upon an individual.

A reported last issue, the North Norfolk Railway has also won the award.

Mid-Hants president Richard Lacey said: “Everybody at the Watercress Line is truly honoured and thrilled that our efforts have been recognised by this award.

“Since 1974, our wonderful volunteers, working with our small core of paid staff, have driven the restoration of the railway and reconnected Alresford to Alton by rail.

Commitment

“Their skills, dedication, and sheer hard work in restoring, operating and maintaining the railway, and in delivering ground-breaking special events such as our Steam Illuminations, has brought huge benefits to local communities.”

Representatives of the Watercress Line will receive the award crystal and certificate from the Lord Lieutenant for Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, later this summer. In addition, two volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2023, along with other recipients of the year’s award.

Richard added: “I would like to send a huge thankyou to all our volunteers, past and present, for all their contributions to our thriving enterprise.

“I hope that this award may tempt many more people to volunteer with us and benefit from what we have to offer.”