Portsoy group's voluntary work recognised with Queen's Award
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Portsoy Community Enterprise has become the first organisation in the historic county of Banffshire to be presented with the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The group is a social enterprise, driven by the enthusiasm and passion of the many volunteers who bring together an array of assets, events and offerings for the town and the area, which keep alive the ingrained heritage and cultures of the north-east of Scotland.
From an intended one off event to celebrate the 300th year of Portsoy’s harbour in 1993, the annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival was born. In the years following, the organisation has also added to its portfolio The Salmon Bothy, The Boatshed, Portsoy Links Caravan Park and The Sail Loft.
It offers the opportunity for both the local community and visitors to Portsoy to take part in and experience cultural experiences, including traditional music programmes and boat building courses, which support the tourism economy of the area and the wider north-east.
Working collaboratively, the whole organisation is aimed at providing economic benefit from tourism for the town of Portsoy and surrounding area, with all of the enterprise's assets held on behalf of the community.
The accolade is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Volunteer director and chairman of the enterprise David Urquhart said: "All of us here at Portsoy Community Enterprise are absolutely delighted to have received this award.
"It recognises the hard work, effort, and commitment of so many people, whether it be those who run the museum in the Bothy, help deliver the internationally famous Traditional Boat Festival, or assist at The Boatshed, the Caravan Site and Sail Loft.
"It also recognises the behind the scenes work of the directors.
"The award is a fitting tribute to the late Roger Goodyear, whose immense contribution cannot be overstated."
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities.
It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
Portsoy Community Enterprise is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.
Representatives from the enterprise will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson later this year. Two volunteers from the group will also attend a celebratory garden party at Holyrood House in July 2021.
Mr Simpson said: “The group has had amazing success not just in establishing a festival that attracts people from across the country and overseas to the wonderful Banffshire coastline, but also provided year round facilities and opportunities for the local community and visitors.
“Portsoy Community Enterprise are the first group in Banffshire to achieve this award. I very much hope that we will see more of the excellent work being carried out by volunteers across the historic county of Banffshire nominated for the award in the future.”
Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has congratulated the group on receiving the award.
Mr Duguid said: “This is fantastic news and I am delighted for all involved with Portsoy Community Enterprise.
“The boat festival has been a tremendous success since its inception in 1993 – at the time intended to be a one-off event.
“Since then, the group has provided year-round facilities and cultural opportunities for the local community and visitors alike.
“Their efforts not only add to the appeal of this beautiful coastal town but also benefit the wider north-east economy and tourism sector.
“To be recognised in this way is a credit to all their hard work.”
