Voluntary groups recognised by the King

Colwall Orchard Group are among 280 other organisations to be recognised

Three organisations based in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have been given the King's Award for Voluntary Service.

In Herefordshire, Colwall Orchard Group (COG) and Kington Walks have been recognised, while in Worcestershire, The Evesham Abbey Trust took the honour.

The three groups are amongst 280 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

Edward Harley CBE, Lord-Lieutenant for Herefordshire, said he was "delighted" to see the award go to local volunteers.

The awards have been presented as part of the King's Birthday Honours.

The King's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups, being equivalent to the MBE for an individual.

Based in Colwall, COG restores and celebrates traditional orchards, promotes wellbeing and connects people with nature.

The group's volunteers have worked together to create a new public footpaths, wildflower meadows and traditional seating in the orchards.

Chair of COG Lindsay Williams said: "Colwall Orchard Group has over 200 members, of whom 81 are regular volunteers.

"There are no paid staff and volunteers run every aspect of COG contributing the equivalent of seven full time annual staff.

"COG has become a community itself where volunteers support each other, nature and the wider community."

Sarah Lee said she was "thrilled" her group had been recognised nationally

Kington Walks volunteers have been recognised for promoting walking for its benefits to health, pleasure and wellbeing, in the Kington area.

Chair of the trustees of Kington Walks, Sarah Lee, said: "I am thrilled that our group's work has been recognised nationally.

"This is a tribute to so much hard work and commitment over the years, sharing our love of walking and our wonderful local countryside with so many people."

The King's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups

A spokesperson for The Evesham Abbey Trust said it was proud to be given The King's Award.

The trust was formed in 2014 after a small group of volunteers conceived the idea of doing something to recognise the contribution of Florence Haynes-Rudge CBE, who ran the Evesham Volunteer Hospital during the First World War.

The trust was established in 2017, following a donation of land around Evesham Abbey from the Rudge family as a gift to the town.

In the eight years that followed the trust raised more than £1.2m to enable it to conserve and restore the site and its standing walls and structures, together with developing a range of interpretive gardens open to all.