On 18th March 2026, This is Haslemere attended the Haslemere Volunteer Awards presentation. The Award panel comprises Christopher Ashton-Jones (Chair), Sarah Ingram, Sally Barr, Peter Jones and Ann Downing. 

In his opening speech, Mr. Ashton-Jones thanked the team for their hard work in sorting nominations and organising the event. Additionally, he shared that, to promote nominations and spread the word, the committee had used traditional print media via The Haslemere Herald and, for the first time this year, they had used social media to promote the award. This meant that in 2026, a record number of nominations were submitted -  evidence that the volunteering ethos is very strong in Haslemere. Christopher shared, "These Awards celebrate people who freely give their unpaid time and wisdom to the community."

The Volunteer Awards medals are beautiful and state very simply "For Services To Haslemere".

Here are the Haslemere Volunteers Awards 2026 Medal Citations

1)– 4) Annie Amos, Sheena Field, Susan Gulliver and Susan Owen 

Annie, Susan, Sheena, Susan were nominated due to their unfaltering weekly commitment to the Age UK Surrey Vintage Store - Haslemere. For more than 4 years the shop has grown to become an incredible financial success story for Age Concern and this could not have been achieved without these four volunteers. It is rare that four nominations come in from one source, but the Panel felt this achievement had to be rewarded.

5) Aileen Assender

Volunteering is part of Aileen’s DNA – what more can be said? She has been the Treasurer of the now essential Haslemere Food Bank for over 12 years. Not only managing its relationship with the Charity Commission, but also managing grants, donations and, in addition, finding time each week to attend the Food Bank in person. Additionally, she gives a large amount of time to helping Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church, Haslemere. How she finds the time, the proposer, simply didn’t know.

6) Ren Baird

We are so proud to have our youngest nominee awarded a Medal. We know Ren has given so much time in helping with the Copse events including the Wassail evening. Also, Ren has helped out by freely helping with local events by singing and apparently bringing much cheer and dynamism to events. Many are proud of Ren's achievements. Congratulations! 

It is important that the younger generation are recognised for volunteering.

7) Jo Bouslimi 

Jo has built an amazing reputation as the Haslemere Tesco Community Champion for several years in which she has ensured support for local charitable organisations such as Haslemere Food Bank, Hasleway, Haslemere Youth Hub, The Fringe, and Haslemere Town Band to name but a few. Jo has shown that national businesses can successfully work hand in hand helping the local community.

8) Sasha Brooks

Sasha has been a stalwart of volunteering at major charities in Haslemere including the Haslemere Volunteer Centre over 18 years ago. She also helped at Voluntary Action South West Surrey when they were created. She is often spotted helping at the Community Fridge and apparently makes a mean coffee at the Haslemere Youth Hub. Sasha also is often behind the scenes fundraising for Mind, Ovarian Cancer and the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.

9) Mike Clarke

Mike is an incredibly dedicated volunteer and trustee at the Haslewey Community Centre. He is there three times a week doing anything from gardening to kitchen assistance to general maintenance. Mike is also a very active volunteer for the Haslemere Fringe and is always there at the events ensuring everything is running smoothly. Finally, it has to be mentioned, Mike’s contribution to the Poppy appeal. From collector to now one of the organisers, he has helped to ensure Haslemere is known as Surrey’s Poppy Town.

10) Martin Coakley 

Martin is a Founder Trustee of The Hunter Centre retiring later this year after 9 years. Martin has been a member of the Haslemere and District League of Friends for more than 20 years and is a member of the  Haslemere Hospital Transformation Group. He was a Committee member of Hammer Bottom Charitable Trust which raised over £100,000 for many local charities.

11) Glenda Crowston

The Haslemere Educational Museum has been the incredibly lucky recipient of 25 years of Glenda’s weekly volunteering at the front of house. Not only that, Glenda has built a reputation as the stalwart of all the Museum events by being there as the primary cake maker where she has honed her many years of home economics teaching.

12) Sue Davis 

Haslemere’s Den Youth Group and Summit Youth Group could not operate without the weekly volunteering by Sue. She has been there since their inceptions to help them grow to be very proud youth groups of the Guildford Diocese and both groups’ successes are now gathering interest at national Church level. The leaders are indebted to Sue’s help in achieving this.

13) Vicki Gavin 

Since 2001, Vicki Gavin has made an exceptional and sustained contribution to The Haslemere Players, serving in key leadership roles of Chairman and Treasurer. She has also volunteered her time for The Haslemere Thespians, Imagine that Productions and The Grayshott Stagers, amongst many other roles behind the scenes.

Vicki has given her time, expertise and energy entirely on a voluntary basis, committing evenings and weekends to support the arts in the local community. Her dedication has not only sustained local theatre but has created opportunities for performers, young people and audiences alike to experience the joy of live performance.

14 and 15) Peter Harrison and Vivien Harrison

Starting with volunteering in 2004 at St. Luke’s Church Grayshott, Peter and Vivien have built Grayshott Concerts to be one of the most successful regional volunteer-run live Classical Music Groups, and is now able to attract world class musicians . Together, Peter and Vivien have built up a volunteer force of over 35 people, who have provided over 100 concerts for up to 300 attendees. They are also firm believers in music Outreach and often attend schools and care homes to reach all of society.

16) Helen Meekins 

Girl Guides and Scouts in Haslemere, and Chiddingfold are completely indebted to the 40 years of service that Helen has dedicated. Helen is the Division Commissioner and her commitment has helped the Haslemere District become one of the significant success stories for Girl Guiding. Girls from Rainbows, all the way to Trefoil know and respect Helen and wanted her to receive this Award to show their gratitude.

17) Gary Moorshead 

Over the last 15 years Gary has helped build scenery for the Haslemere Thespians Pantomime and the Haslemere Players shows. Gary has also been stage manager for many of the shows. Five years ago, Gary was selected to become a Magistrate after undergoing training. He is on the bench one or two times a week in West Sussex. The role is unpaid but carries considerable responsibilities, particularly while determining the future of children who are the victims of parental disputes. Recently, he has also been selected to mentor and support new magistrates.

18) Sarah Mulliner

This was a wonderful citation to write as it was almost a case of what and where hasn’t Sarah volunteered. From being in the League of Haslemere Friends, to Midhurst Macmillian Palliative Care, to Meals on Wheels, to The Hunter Centre, to the Hearing Clinic at St Barts, to running the St. Bart's Church Flower Rota, to ringing the Church Bells – and all of this while bringing up 4 children and now grandchildren. Not to mention being Lady Mayoress when her husband was Mayor.

19) Victoria (Tause) Page 

Clearly this was Tause’s year to be getting an Award. Not one, not two but three separate nominations came in for her, the first time this has ever occurred. Each of the proposers stating that Tause makes Haslemere a better place due to all the hours and commitment she has freely given to Love Haslemere, Hate Waste, the Repair Café and Community Fridge et al. As a result of all these organisations, the local community is definitely a better place.

20) Mike Young

Mike has been commended for exceptional and sustained contribution to the Haslemere Allotments. He was quoted as being the unsung hero who is always there giving his time for the benefit of the allotment holders, whether it is keeping the communal areas maintained, being in charge of the compost site and the bonfire, or just being on hand if others need help. What is clearly noticeable is that Mike is doing this from the goodness of his heart and not for praise.