Chairman pays tribute to county’s unsung heroes

Chairman Bill Chapple with a group of Simply Walk volunteer leaders on the stairs at Judges' Lodgings Chairman Bill Chapple, Vice Chairman Val Letheren and Council Leader Martin Tett celebrate with volunteers at Beaconsfield

Volunteers who help keep the wheels of Buckinghamshire turning have been honoured for their contribution to the community by County Council Chairman Bill Chapple OBE.

He hosted the county’s unsung heroes attwo evening receptions in Beaconsfield and Aylesbury last week (w/b March 28).

More than 1,200 volunteers help Buckinghamshire County Council deliver services, from Master Composters and Simply Walk leaders to school governors and education appeal panel members.

Bill said: ‘We’revery fortunate to have a huge number of public spirited people in Buckinghamshire, and I wanted to thank them personally. They really areour unsung heroes and I’m immensely proud of them.

‘They give up their time, which is one of themost precious of commodities. They embody the true sense of service and community spirit and if it wasn’t for their support many County Council projects just wouldn’t run.’

Among around 150 who attended the receptions at the Fitzwilliam Centre, Beaconsfield, and Judges’ Lodgings, Aylesbury, were school travel planners, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme organisers, Master Composters, and Simply Walk leaders, who organise walks to encourage people’s health and wellbeing.