A GLOWING accolade has been awarded to Chiddingfold Bonfire Association, which has been nominated for the prestigious 2020 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Members of the 180 year-old association, which raises funds on bonfire night to support vulnerable village residents, joined representatives from the five other nominated voluntary groups in Surrey, to receive official thanks from the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey Michael More-Molyneux, at a reception at Loseley Park.

The successful nominees will be announced on June 2.

In addition to staging a hugely successful Guy Fawkes night, Chiddingfold Bonfire Association has lit beacons as part of national celebrations.

A pillar of the community, the group also supports Chiddingfold Summer Festival, ChiddFest and the bi-annual Cricket Club Bank Holiday Tournament.

Over the last 15 years it has donated more than £100,000 to local good causes.

Congratulating the six nominated groups for Surrey, Mr More-Molyneux said: “Without the work of charities and voluntary groups like yours, many communities in Surrey would be so much poorer and our ability to meet local need with care and compassion would be so much less. ”

Association chairman Simon Manuel said: “This is the highest national award presented to volunteer groups across the UK.

“It is the MBE for volunteer groups and is awarded for the lifetime of the organisation.

“Irrespective of whether we are taken forward in June, the opportunity has given us the time to reflect on all the wonderful events we have undertaken – not just the bonfire, but the many diverse community projects which make our village so special.”