Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority recognised the hard work and dedication of its volunteers and awarded three “Huw Price Volunteer of the Year” Awards at a presentation at the National Park Headquarters.
Huw Price was Volunteer Development Officer for the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority. Huw sadly passed away in 2014 and a fund was set up in his memory; the awards celebrate the passion Huw had for working for the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and his commitment to its volunteers. Eddie Procter, John Holden and Ross Duffield (on behalf of Keith Crook) were presented with the awards by Huw Price’s eight year old son, Henry.
Eddie Procter received the award as the longest serving team leader of the Upland Volunteer Group, which started with eight volunteers in the Black Mountains in 2012. The aim of the initial project was to develop highly skilled Volunteer Team Leaders who would manage groups and help maintain the upland path network. Since then the group has progressed and with funding through the Sustainable Development Fund a further group was created in the Central Beacons followed by an Upland Conservation Group. Our Upland Volunteers are now a major part of, and play a fundamental role in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Authority’s upland management plan.
John Holden has been volunteering for the National Park for twenty eight years and started by carrying out practical work on Public Rights of Ways with the Wardens in the Abergavenny area. He has volunteered alongside his wife on the ‘Adopt a Path’ scheme and is also a longstanding Car park Watch Volunteer.
Keith Crook was unable to make the ceremony but was awarded for his contribution as an Upland Volunteer for the past six years. As a service user of the Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service, volunteering has been part of Keith’s rehabilitation and recovery.
Eight year old Henry, was extremely proud to present the awards in memory of his Father and said;
“It’s good to help and support the volunteers because they work hard looking after the National Park so that it can be enjoyed by people who come to visit.”
Julian Atkins, CEO of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority added;
“These awards are very special for us all at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority. Firstly, because they are a celebration of Huw Price’s life and they provide us with an opportunity to remember him and the passion he had for the Park. Secondly, they recognise the inspirational work of our volunteers, whose work and commitment we are forever grateful for. I’d like to congratulate Eddie, John and Keith on their awards but also say thank you to all our volunteers that help make Bannau Brycheiniog National Park the wonderful place it is.”
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