The King announced that two outstanding Herefordshire organisations have been recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2026, the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK and equivalent to an MBE for volunteer groups.

This year, both Ledbury Rugby Football Club – One Club, One Hub and Herefordshire Lore, are among just 250 groups across the UK and Channel Islands to receive this prestigious honour. The awards were announced on 14 November, His Majesty The King’s Birthday.

For more than 140 years, Ledbury Rugby Football Club – One Club, One Hub has been at the heart of its community, supported by over 100 volunteers. The club provides rugby opportunities for people of all ages and abilities while also serving as a registered Talk Community Hub, supporting a range of local organisations and initiatives that promote health, wellbeing and community connections across Ledbury and the surrounding area.

Herefordshire Lore, founded in 1989, has spent over three decades preserving and sharing the county’s collective memory through oral history. Hundreds of local people have contributed stories and experiences, creating a rich archive of everyday life in Herefordshire that might otherwise have been lost. Through volunteer researchers, publications and community projects, the organisation continues to celebrate and safeguard the county’s heritage.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire Mr Edward Harley CBE congratulated both organisations on their achievement.

Regarding Ledbury Rugby Football Club – One Club, One Hub, he said:

“I am delighted that Ledbury Rugby Club’s “One Club, One Hub” has been awarded this honour, as the exceptional volunteers do far more than run a sports club. They sustain a year-round community hub which benefits so many throughout Ledbury and the surrounding communities, both for those who receive support and those able to volunteer. The scale of voluntary effort is remarkable. Congratulations to all the volunteers on this great honour.”

On the award to Herefordshire Lore, he said:

“For over 35 years the volunteers of Herefordshire Lore been ensuring that the memories and lived experiences of people within our community were not lost. They have been collected, archived and, most importantly, shared. Throughout, their work has remained rooted in person-to-person volunteering. I send my warmest congratulations to all those involved.”

Responding to the award, Ellie Ramsey, Chairman of Ledbury Rugby Football Club, said:

“On behalf of everyone at Ledbury Rugby Football Club, I am immensely proud and honoured that our volunteers have been recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is an extraordinary achievement and one that reflects the commitment, generosity and dedication of the many volunteers who give their time, energy and passion to our club and wider community.

Ledbury Rugby Club has always been about more than what happens on the rugby pitch. Our One Club ethos is central to who we are. We believe in bringing people together, creating opportunities, improving lives and providing a place where everyone feels welcome, valued and supported.

This award belongs to every volunteer, past and present, who has helped shape the club into what it is today. From those supporting our youngest players to those working tirelessly behind the scenes, and those helping us extend our support to other community organisations, every contribution matters.

I hope this recognition gives all our volunteers an enormous sense of pride. It reinforces what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose and a genuine commitment to their community. We are incredibly proud of our club, our volunteers and the community we serve.”

Bill Laws, Chair of Herefordshire Lore, said:

“The King’s Award is equivalent to an MBE for volunteers and is a welcome recognition of the unique contribution our volunteers have made to Herefordshire history.”

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises the exceptional contribution that volunteer groups make to communities across the nation. Both organisations will receive their award crystal and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire at presentations in the new year.