VOLUNTEERS across the borough took a bow at the annual Basingstoke Voluntary Services awards ceremony.

Borough mayor Councillor Paula Baker presented awards to local people highlighting the good work that voluntary groups and organisations do to benefit the community.

Bob Carr, Basingstoke Voluntary Services' deputy chief officer, said: "The recipients of the annual awards represent the many hundreds of people who give up their time and expertise freely for the benefit of others in the borough.

"We don't try to judge one volunteer against another. You can't say someone who has given time as a governor at a school is better than someone who has visited the housebound to deliver books.

"Length of service is also irrelevant. St Mary's Church youth club leaders are an example. Awards were presented to seven young leaders in the team, who cater for more than 100 local kids at the youth club each week, which is fantastic."

Among those honoured in the ceremony at the Civic Offices was Janet Mew - a volunteer who teaches the recorder to 43 pupils at North Waltham Primary School.

Awards were presented to Janet Mew, of North Waltham Primary School; George Hood, of Merton Infant School; Caroline Griffiths, of Marnel Junior School; Eileen Stonock, of Four Lanes Infant School; Ian Campbell, of Adventure Ranger Corps; Julia Rouse, of Acorn Trust Day Centre; Roy Hazzard, of Shopmobility; Pat Woodland, of Basingstoke and District Counselling Service; Pauline Dolan, of Home Library Service; Pat Harmer, also of Home Library Service; Colin Barton, representing seven Goat Lane Youth Club leaders; Debbie Harris, of St Mary's Church; Michael Brennan, of Basingstoke Neighbourcare; Gerald Merritt, also of Basingstoke Neighbourcare; Joyce and Nobby Clark, of Age Concern; Ron Snipp, of Highclere Village Hall committee; and Ian Briggs, also of Highclere Village Hall committee.

To find out more about the voluntary sector in Basingstoke, visit the BVS website at www.voluntaryservices.com

First published: Wednesday, October 19, 2005