SOME of the borough’s dedicated volunteers are set to be recognised at an awards ceremony on Saturday.

The High Sheriff of Hampshire Community Awards are taking place in the Great Hall, Winchester on March 1, with two local figures and one organisation set to be rewarded.

Living Paintings, a charity based in Kingsclere, is one organisation that is to be given an award. The charity designs, creates and publishes tactile and audio books for blind and partially-sighted people and their range is designed to provide education and life-long learning, enhance lifestyle and support leisure interests. Their ‘Touch to See’ books are distributed to readers through the charity’s free postal library.

Two volunteers to be honoured are Barrie Hiscock, from Headley, a long-standing football referee and president of Headley FC, and Paul Temple, the director of Basingstoke Gymnastic Club. Paul has been involved with the gymnastic club for over 30 years and was key in relocating the club to the Active Life Centre. The club now has 1,700 members and 60 staff.

The decision to make these awards follows an extensive selection process over the last year led by the High Sheriff, Rupert Younger, and supported by a panel of regional awards chairs.

Councillor Keith Chapman, Hampshire High Sheriff Community Award panel chair for the Basingstoke area, said: “I am delighted that my nominations are going to be recognised for the service to the community.”

Rupert Younger, High Sheriff of Hampshire said: “I am inspired and humbled by the dedication, commitment and sheer dogged determination.”