VOLUNTEERS at The Stables Theatre in Wavendon have been honoured
with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary
group can receive in the UK.
The award, the highest for voluntary groups in the UK, aims to
recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local
communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and
winners are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of the Queen’s
Coronation.
Volunteers have played a central role in enabling The Stables to
become one of the UK’s most successful and popular music organisations since
the venue opened in 1970. Known as the Stablemates, they now total more than
250 in number.
The core team provides year-round support for many areas of The
Stables’ day-to-day operation, including front of house, technical, catering
and administrative duties. Extra teams of volunteers are recruited to help with
the delivery of both IF: Milton Keynes International Festival and the National
Youth Music Camps, two major events which The Stables also produces.
“Everyone at The Stables is thrilled that our wonderful
volunteers the Stablemates have been recognised in this way,” said The Stables’
chief executive and artistic director Monica Ferguson. “Their dedication and
commitment is truly remarkable. They are a shining example of what this
organisation is all about – namely, to provide opportunities to anyone and
everyone, irrespective of age, ability or background, to enrich their lives
through the power of live music.”
The Stables is one of 281 charities, social enterprises and
voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of
nominations and awards has increased year on year since the awards were
introduced in 2002, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of
innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.
Representatives from The Stables attended a garden party at
Buckingham Palace in May, along with other recipients of this year’s
Award. The Lord Lieutenant’s office will
formally present the award to The Stables later this summer.
The Stables holds regular open evenings for those interested in
becoming a volunteer. The next takes place on July 9 – for details, visit stables.org
