The Lord-Lieutenant of Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale, the Duke of Buccleuch, presented the King’s Award for Voluntary Services on Tuesday 16 April at a celebration held in Bowhill House, Selkirk.
The award was presented to Hawick Community Pumptrack Group in recognition of their outstanding efforts to the local community and wider, bringing a world class circuit to the Scottish Borders.
The Lord-Lieutenant said: “It truly was a great honour to meet the group and present this very much sought after and very much deserved accolade”.
Dr Kevin Mitchell received the award on behalf of the Hawick Community Pumptrack Group – Ben Wilson, Keith Irving and Michael Graham, who was unable to attend the event.
Councillors McAteer and Marshall, who attended the award’s event, provided guidance and support to the group in the early stages of planning, helping get the project off the ground and as Honorary Provost of Hawick, Councillor McAteer provided a supporting letter for the award process. Councillor David Parker, Council Convener at the time, was also involved in the project chairing the play-parks group and sourcing funding for flood-lights.
The Lord-Lieutenant added: “The Pumptrack is a fantastic new local facility nestling in the wonderful Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick. It has provided a real opportunity for young people in Hawick and the local area. Its high quality has been recognised in this particular sporting discipline and in the short time it has been opened has already hosted a world qualifying event.”
The Hawick Pumptrack Volunteer Group were congratulated by friends and family who had been invited to celebrate with them at Bowhill House.