It was a real surprise and a genuine honour for Jenny and me to be presented the Stead Community Award. The award recognises people who contribute to village life and the local community, and while our names may have been attached to it this year, we know full well that so much of what happens in this village is only possible because of many others. Our first thought was the incredible number of volunteers who help alongside us. Around the library and Assist groups alone, there are more than forty volunteers from across the area giving their time, energy, and care to help things run smoothly. Some are part of the church, many are not, but all share something important in common: they love this village and want to ‘make things better’.
That phrase: ‘make things better’ is the key. Over the years, I have had opportunities to sit with people in business, entrepreneurs, church leaders, and even those involved in politics. They have come from very different backgrounds and held very different opinions. Yet when asked why they do what they do, a common theme often emerges: a genuine desire to improve things for others, to ‘make things better’. In other words, service. Of course, we may not always agree with every approach people take, and some may be paid while others volunteer quietly behind the scenes, but the heart of service is still there. It is the decision to use what you have, your time, skills, influence, or energy, to help people, strengthen community, and ‘make things better.’
That kind of service is easy to overlook because it often happens quietly. It is people setting up chairs, making drinks, helping at events, listening to someone having a difficult day, or simply turning up week after week because they care. Most never expect recognition. They just get on with it. It reminds me of Queen Elizabeth II’s words that her life would be devoted to service. Those words still resonate because we value people who choose to serve rather than simply do the minimum required. For me as a Christian, that idea comes straight from Jesus. One of the most remarkable moments in the Bible is when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. It was not expected of Him or glamorous in any way. But He did it because serving people reflected His heart. He showed that greatness is not really about status or position, but about love expressed through action.
I think we still see glimpses of that same spirit all around our village today. Every volunteer, every act of kindness, every person who gives up time for others helps make this community stronger and kinder. And the good news is, there is always room for more people to get involved. Whether through the library, local groups, church activities, or community events, opportunities to volunteer are never far away, just look through this Cherry News, contact us or search the internet for organisations who would love you to serve. You may be surprised just how much a small act of service can make 'make things better’.
