The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

On 9 August 2022, Loch a Tuath News was officially presented with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. As part of the presentation, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the Western Isles Annie Macsween read the following citation from Buckingham Palace: 

The Loch a’ Tuath News is a much-acclaimed community newspaper which has served the Broadbay area of the Isle of Lewis for twenty-five years. Its 15 volunteers, assisted by a part-time editor, are to be commended for their energy, commitment and enthusiasm in ensuring that around 700 households receive a wide variety of interesting local news, features, past and present photographs and family history, ten times a year. Volunteers also do an extraordinary amount of multi-tasking by processing digital editions of previous copies making it easier, for the public to access archival copies online. An exceptional feature of the group’s work is its strong links to the two local schools which contribute to each edition with news and feature articles, highlighting the intergenerational ethos of this community publication. During lockdown, volunteers arranged to have the Annual Remembrance service transmitted on You Tube for those who were prevented from attending in person. Its significance to the community is demonstrated by the consistent favourable feedback from its readership, as these quotations highlight: “Every month Loch a’ Tuath News is eagerly awaited keeping us all abreast of local life and long may that continue.” And “It was a privilege to be involved with a committed team on such a great community magazine and I do hope that a golden anniversary will be reached”.

Donald Martin, the recently retired L-L concluded his citation submission at the time by saying

“I have no hesitation in recommending the volunteers at Loch a Tuath News for the highest recognition for producing a reliable, trustworthy and regular publication which is eagerly awaited, bringing much anticipation and pleasure to its appreciative readership”.

Delivered by Annie MacSween DL on behalf of Iain Macaulay, HM Lord-Lieutenant, Western Isles.

Following on from the citation reading, Lord Lieutenant Iain Macaulay read the following:

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation and is the MBE equivalent for volunteer groups. The award is for life and recognises outstanding work done in communities. You will also receive and invitation for two people to attend a Royal Garden Party in June 2023.

Since the start of the QAVS twenty years ago, just 6 groups in the Western Isles have received the Award so you have joined a very elite group indeed. They are - Garradh Bhagh a’ Tuath, Spors Nis, Eoropie Play Area, Feis an Rudha, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis and The Counselling& Family Mediation Western Isles. We are always looking at ways of recognising the work of voluntary groups so if any of know any other local groups who you think might qualify for the QAVS, please encourage them to consider making a nomination. 

Earlier this year, you were named Highland and Islands Community Newspaper of the Year and today we are celebrating this latest fantastic achievement of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Organisations. The award recognises and rewards the work, commitment and outstanding achievements of all the volunteers, in all your various capacities, past and present, who have contributed to producing the LATN community newspaper over the past 25 years. 

You are an excellent example of the important contribution that volunteers provide, helping to promote and improve the well-being of the whole community.
Your exceptional contribution to the district and your tremendous achievement in producing over 250 issues of the highly regarded LATN community newspaper over the past 25 years is a remarkable achievement that has benefitted the community you serve in so many positive ways.

It therefore gives me enormous pleasure to present this 2022 QAVS award to the team of unpaid volunteers and contributors of the LATN.

With every best wish for the future to LATN, Jayne and the whole volunteer team.  

Iain Macaulay, Lord-Lieutenant Western Isles 9th August 2022