EAST Hampshire District Council’s Volunteer Awards Ceremony celebrated the dedication and enthusiasm of people who make a difference in their communities.

Eighteen awards were up for grabs in six categories – two of them went to Liphook recipients while another three went to people from Alton..

The Large Team of the Year top award was presented to volunteers of the Liphook Day Centre by Beverley Jones, chairman of Community First, who helped EHDC organise and promote the event held at Old Thorns Hotel, at Griggs Green.

The day centre has been running a care facility three days a week for the elderly for more than 20 years, and relies heavily on its team of volunteers, who help with shopping, doctors appointments and prescription collection.

East Meon’s Sustainability Centre was runner-up.

Liphook’s Lt Col Jamie Jack was third in the Lifetime Achievement award for his services to the East Hampshire branch of the Royal British Legion.

He has been co-ordinating the village’s annual Poppy Appeal for more than 30 years.

Four Marks and Medstead Rotary’s Tony Handeel was runner-up.

The Young Person of the Year award, presented by council chief executive Sandy Hopkins, went to 17-year old Caroline Hodgkiss, from the Alton Lions Young Leaders, who has shown resilience and strength of character becoming a young carer while promoting volunteering to young people.

Ropley Cricket Club’s Lottie Harrison was second and Joe Maunder, from Petersfield’s King’s Arms pub, was third.

The Alton Lions were third in the Large Team of the Year.

Community First chief executive Tim Houghton presented Jenni Few from Petersfield-based Music Fusion with her Unsung Hero award. Curtis Bone from the Whitehill Bordon Town Partnership was runner-up.

She has been passionate about helping to reduce homelessness, despite her own mobility issues and been involved with a music project, creating an album around anti-social behaviour.

EHDC deputy leader Julie Butle presented the Small Team of the Year award to four volunteers at Butser Ancient Farm – George Sandford-Bennett, Ben Newman, Jill Freed and Dan Wintle.

Petersfield Citiizens’ Advice Bureau, which provides help on a range of social welfare issues across East Hampshire, was third.

In the Special Commendation category John Bannell from Clanfield Parish Council who has devoted many hours to the future of the village was rewarded with top spot.

Privett Village Hall’s Teresa Brown was placed in second, and Whitehall Village Hall’s Val Bywater third.

Councillor Richard Millard presented two exceptional volunteers with their Lifetime Achievement awards – Jim Dickinson, an Alton tree warden, and Anita Clark, head of merchandise at Emmaus Hampshire for the homeless.

Jim has worked for 25 years as a volunteer as well as helping out with the Walking Festival event, the Alton Society and Friends of the Curtis Museum.

Anita, now in her 80s, has been volunteering for more than 50 years and raised more than £400,000 for Emmaus charity.

She was appointed its vice-president in 2016.

Four Marks and Medstead Rotary Club’s Tony Yandell was the other runner-up.

Entertainment was provided by Alton College Jazz Band and Petersfield School classical violinist Pradip Tran.