The Gratton Trust Charity has been recognised with ‘The Queens Award for Voluntary Service’ for the hard work of all the volunteers over the last 5 years to develop the Gratton open space in the Parish of Wonston for the benefit of all members of the community.
The Gratton Trust was set up as a charity in 1997 to manage the valuable shared green recreational space known as The Gratton in the heart of Sutton Scotney.
Through the hard work of its many volunteers and the generosity of the community, funds raised from events have enabled the improvement of facilities which now feature tennis courts, football pitches, an outdoor gym, pavilion, riverside walk, picnic tables and a play area complete with zip wire!
The Trust is responsible for all day to day maintenance, from cutting the grass to maintaining the pavilion and providing playground equipment. Just to cover annual running costs they need to raise £15,000 each and every year. Recognising this work is important to the future of the facilities and encouraging future volunteers.
Local MP Steve Brine said; "I am so excited for John Polak and all at the Gratton Trust because I know how much this means to them and how well it is deserved. As the local MP I am proud as punch!"
The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire presented the Chairman John Polak on behalf of all the Trustees with the 2018 Queen's Award for Voluntary Service at a public ceremony on Tuesday 11th September 2018 at 3pm on the Gratton. The Mayor of Winchester was also present.
SBTV link; watch a short film courtesy of Kingsway Design from the event.
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