Besses Boys’ Band and Bury Active Women’s Centre have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK and equivalent to an MBE.
Bury Actives Women’s Centre (also known as Bury Asian Women’s Centre) has supported women in Bury for the last 24 years, providing social, recreational, educational, and training support and activities in a culturally safe and sensitive environment. Besses Boys’ Band is a second-section brass band and has been a registered charity in the borough since 1943.
Besses Boys’ Band chairman, Bradley Hirst, said:
“It is fantastic to receive this prestigious award in recognition of our hard work and voluntary commitment to both our organisation and our community. It recognises the efforts of all our players, officials and volunteers who have served, and supported, Besses Boys’ Band since our formation.”
Meanwhile, Bury Active Women’s Centre have posted a statement, “We are delighted and very proud to announce we have been honoured with the Kings Award for Voluntary Services! Thank you to everyone who has supported, nurtured, and grown our project over the years.”
Volunteers from both organisations will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year with other award recipients.
Nominations are still open for the 2025 awards on The King’s Award for Voluntary Service website, with applications closing on 1 December 2024.
