Every year at Warley Woods we have a Volunteer Thank you Night.  It's a low key affair - just a chance for us to say thank you and volunteers to meet up - some wine and some nibbles.  One of the important parts of the evening though are where we present special awards.  Both are awards that are given in memory of exceptional Trustees and are given to the volunteers who in that year have particularly continued their legacy.

The Dick Marsh Award is given to a volunteer or volunteers who have encouraged others to get involved. On 14th August 2025 the award was given to Sue Maguire for her work on the King's Award application and her encouragement to reapply after two rejections.

The John McBride Award is given to a volunteer or volunteers who have spread the word about Warley Woods to a wider audience and the award was given to Don Gribben and Alan Reynolds (pictured).  Don hand delivers a lot of the Trust's post in the local area, but he doesn't just drop it through the door - he chats to people, members and non members and is always promoting the Trust.  Alan led the charge last year to publish a new history book for the Trust in time for the 20th Anniversary.  That book is not only fabulous, but has been bought and gifted globally - sharing the Warley Woods and Community Trust story.

Thank you to everyone who volunteers at Warley Woods - you make a real difference.  You often do things that wouldn't get done if you hadn't done it and you make your community a better place for your neighbours.  We wouldn't exist without you and Warley Woods would be a poorer space by far.

Previous Award Winners

John McBride Award

2024 Rachel Betteridge, Rebecca Poxon

2023 Peter Smith

2022 Sheila Williams, Arthur Ward, Chris Ashford

2021 Kate Slade and Julie Walters

Dick Marsh Award

2024 John Newman, Sandra Clarke, ASBO Moose

2023 Di Douglas, David Read, Keith Cotter

2022 Caroline Jariwala

2021 Matt Miller and Martyn Taylor

2019 John McBride

2018 Nigel Lloyd and Winston Walker

2017 Andrew Bull and John Reeves

2016 Chris Ashford

2015 Mick Guy

2014 Steve Eling and Barbara Platts

2013 Norma Woods, Liz Coleman, and Pat Marsh

2012 Steve Atkinson

2011 Kate Slade and Arthur Ward

If you would like to find out more about volunteering you can read about that here