Haslemere’s Volunteer Awards saw a group of extraordinary individuals recognised for their dedication and contribution to the community. The event, held alongside the annual town meeting, highlighted the remarkable impact of these volunteers, whose efforts often go unnoticed but are felt deeply across the town.
Christopher Ashton-Jones and Fay Foster hosted the ceremony and town mayor Jerome Davidson gave out the medals, donated by the late Herald owner Sir Ray Tindle.
See below for a full list of 2024 recipients and citations:
ANABEL BACA GOMEZ
Anabel, the owner of Haslemere’s Green and Blue Studios, has consistently gone above and beyond to make a positive difference in the community. She has raised funds for Macmillan Cancer Support through her annual aerial dance shows and has established free wellness and fitness classes specifically designed for cancer patients, survivors, and their carers at her studio. In addition, Anabel has been running after-school clubs for children at St Bartholomew's Primary School. She is especially mindful of those facing financial difficulties, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to attend. She also hosts the Community Fridge and Freezer, run by Love Haslemere Hate Waste, at her studio free of charge.
Despite the challenges of running a busy business and raising her family, Anabel continues to give back to our community and inspire others with her actions.
DEBBIE BOWYER
Debbie, works tirelessly for many organisations and charities in and around Haslemere, mainly by doing publicity, marketing and newsletters. These include Haslemere U3A, the Haslemere Players (where she also performs on stage), Haslemere Arts Society, the Haslemere Festival and Haslewey Community Centre where she also serves on the fund-raising committee. At Haslemere Fringe Festival she also works in other capacities including welcoming and looking after the sponsors.
Outside of marketing, one can find Debbie volunteering at Little Lumpy, a Haslemere Cycling Sportive which is probably the best in the South of England. Then there is volunteering on a regular basis at Haslemere Hall and during the run up to Armistice Day standing out in the cold selling poppies.
MATT DELLER
Matt, with a team of volunteers, has organised and managed the Haslemere Boxing Day Run since about 1997. The event attracts hundreds of runners from Haslemere and beyond and has become a fixture for many people in their Christmas celebrations. It brings together runners of all ages from seven to over seventy, hundreds of spectators and for many is a multi-generational family event, drawing the town together in a unique way.
In addition to sustaining this effort over so many years, Matt has dedicated the profits of the Run to supporting the Friends of Holy Cross Hospital. The hospital’s patients are all severely physically disabled adults, therefore those running contribute to improving the quality of life of those who, by injury or illness, have lost so much. The Run raised up to £5,000 each year in recent times, making it a major contributor, enabling the purchase of highly specialised items of equipment for the benefit of the hospital’s patients.
JENNIFER EDWARDS
Jen is one of Love Haslemere Hate Waste’s (LHHW) early members, having joined the charity as a repairer in 2020. During lockdown she taught herself on YouTube videos to sew and mend and now uses her skills through the Repair Café. She has renovated over 100 items and saved them going into landfill. Jen is often found at the café encouraging and helping local people to mend things themselves. She also updates content on the Community Fridge distributing 80kg of rescued food every week to people in Haslemere. She is instrumental in setting up The Library of Things which has 30 odd items available for people to borrow rather than buy, including a drill, sewing machine and numbered cake tins.
She is a dedicated and passionate individual who thoroughly deserves to have her work recognised, and is an inspiration to others.
CHRIS GRIMES
Chris has been President of Hindhead Cricket Club for 25 years and was heavily involved with Hindhead Playing Field Association where he led the project for the upgrading of the Pavilion which was completed in 2006. He was a Committee member for 20 years and was Chairman for 6 of those.
It was during his work on the Pavilion Project that he first was introduced to Sport Haslemere. He was soon a member of the Committee and has been involved ever since – his span of office exceeding 20 years.
He was instrumental with Nick Chilton in developing the very successful Create a
Star scheme and continues to lead both Sport Haslemere and Haslemere Sports Association with energy and good humour. He has more than doubled the membership of Sport Haslemere and raised its profile within the community. He has recently been a leader in the fight to keep the Edge open for community groups and his determination is example to us all.
DR MARK HURST (collected by Martin Coakley)
Mark became a GP partner at Haslemere in the late 1970s and has served the town for around 46 years. Mad on sport, he played for the local Hockey Team and later in life coached and refereed for the club.
As a young doctor he was determined to keep a local focus on healthcare in Haslemere. He became Chairman of the Golden Valley Primary Care Group and then Chairman of the Guildford and Waverley Primary Care Group. His leadership determined that services were well used in the hospital, and focused on modernising both services and site usage. Following his retirement he resurrected services for dementia and was part of the team to form the new services for dementia in the Hunter Centre – for which he is now a Trustee. In addition his commitment to services in Haslemere Hospital has been maintained. He is an active and supportive President of Haslemere Hospital League of Friends and works tirelessly in the background to support healthcare locally.
TOM MILNE
After retirement from Military Service in 1990, Tom took an interest in the graveyard and surrounds of St Alban’s Church, Beacon Hill. Firstly, he arranged a digital documentation system and useable map and downloaded burial registers, reconciling them with the church map. Tom organised and implemented the renovation of the church grounds over many years and carries out maintenance and repairs where needed to this day. Tom also established and runs a coffee morning for the ‘old folk’ in Beacon Hill which is still thriving today.
Tom is the standard bearer for Haslemere Royal British Legion, a role which, together with Parade Marshal, he also undertook for the County. He also carries out the duties of Poppy Appeal Organiser for Rowledge during November. He regularly represents Haslemere at funerals if requested and at various other events. Tom sets the standard for everyone to try and match.
He is a true gentleman who has been quietly volunteering for the Haslemere Community for 35 years and it is good that he has recognition for his efforts on behalf of Haslemere.
JUDY RIX (Collected by Drummond Russell)
Judy Rix plays a very effective and committed role in and for the Community. Judy has been Chairman of U3A and President of the Bowling Club within which she leads many of its activities such as the “Bowls for Beginners' programme” in conjunction with U3A and regularly deputises for the President. Judy’s former “no nonsense” school Teacher and organisational skills have been used to good effect. She is also an active leader in carriage driving with RDA (Riding for the Disabled).
ADRIAN STENT
Adrian has been an active supporter and participant in Haslemere Events. He has acted for the Haslemere Players, Haslemere Thespians, Imagine That Productions. He had directed shows for the Players, in particular very good productions of ‘Anything Goes’ and ‘Evita’. He designs and builds scenery for the Players and has done so since he came to Haslemere in 2010. He has recently taken over the role of Artistic Director for Haslemere Festival and his planning is almost complete for the Festival in May this year.
VANESSA AND MICHAEL WARR
For the past nine years, Vanessa and Mike have been dedicated volunteers at Haslewey, giving their time and energy to support the centre and its community. Their hard work, loyalty, and unwavering commitment have made a lasting impact.
Throughout the years, both have faced serious health challenges, yet their determination and dedication to volunteering have never wavered. They have continued to show up every Friday lunchtime, ensuring that our cafe run smoothly and that those who rely on this service receive the warmth and support they need. Their kindness, reliability, and willingness to help in any way possible have not gone unnoticed, and they have become a valued and cherished part of the Haslewey family. The rest of the team wanted to express their deepest appreciation and this award is recognition of all they have done.
FAY FOSTER
Fay Foster was surprised to receive her own volunteer award for everything she has contributed to the town over many years. It was an unanimous decision by the selection committee. Fay is a former mayor, member of the Haslemere Players, U3A, WI, Haslemere society, to name just a very few. Her contributions span decades, she has fought for Haslemere Hospital, led charitable efforts, and chronicled the town’s history.
“Hardly anything taken place in the town that Fay hasn’t been involved in,” said co-host Christopher Ashton-Jones.