Column: Hampshire county leader tribute to outstanding volunteer

We live in Awbridge, where Fred Tucker, a long-time village resident, has spent the past decades weaving himself into the very fabric of our community.

Fred deservedly received the British Empire Medal in the 2025 New Year’s Honours and his story proves what’s possible when we roll up our sleeves and work side by side, whether in small hamlets or bustling market towns.

Fred first stepped into the spotlight by volunteering to chair our local village hall committee. Back then, the hall was crumbling—leaky roofs, flaking paint and empty event calendars. Undeterred, he marshalled renovation teams, secured discretionary grants and persuaded nearby businesses to donate materials.

Almost overnight, the hall pulsed with new energy. From yoga classes and quiz nights to curry evenings and pop-up pubs, it now thrives as the vibrant heart of our community. Watching Fred oversee every detail taught me that true leadership isn’t about grand speeches; it’s about getting your hands dirty and inspiring others to do the same.

Nick Adams-King

His vision didn't stop at bricks and mortar. When Southern Water repeatedly ignored ageing mains, Fred gathered resident testimonies, lobbied councillors (including me) and even organised a petition delivered to Parliament. 

Fred has ensured that Southern Water has taken notice and has a plan to improve matters; in doing so, it’s sent a clear message across Hampshire that grassroots determination can hold powerful organisations to account.

Safety and solidarity go hand in hand in a thriving community, and Fred understood that instinctively. He founded our neighbourhood watch scheme, which, since its inception, has led to anti-social behaviour falling sharply, and neighbours across the parish now look out for one another.

Perhaps Fred’s most compassionate contribution surfaced during the darkest days of the Covid-19 lockdowns. He organised weekly food parcel deliveries, partnering with local grocers and volunteer drivers. No one was left behind—whether an elderly widow living miles from the village centre or a new mother cut off from family support, recipients received both necessities and a friendly knock on the door. These acts reminded us that community care is as nourishing as any meal.

Then there’s Awbridge’s wonderful annual summer fete, a day of homemade cakes, classic cars and music that doubles as a fundraiser for local causes. Fred designed the layout, recruited volunteers, and even mastered the art of running the beer tent himself. Under his guidance, the fete’s rebounded from the pandemic stronger and more successful than ever.  The joy and camaraderie on that field stretch well beyond his home village, setting a template for events across our county.

If one person can leave such a mark, imagine what we could achieve together, from Burley to Basingstoke, Winchester to Waterlooville. I challenge each of us—young and old—to find a corner of Hampshire that needs extra care.

Volunteer at your nearest community hall; join or launch a neighbourhood watch; spearhead a litter-pick on rural lanes. Offer your unique skills—baking, bookkeeping, coaching or carpentry—and watch them multiply, strengthening villages, towns and parishes across the county.

Fred Tucker’s British Empire Medal is more than an individual honour—it’s an open invitation. It tells us that civic pride, compassion and persistence can overcome apathy, neglect and indifference. Let’s seize that invitation together. In Fred’s footsteps, let’s nurture our local communities, protect our streets and care for one another.

Let’s all be more like Fred.

By Nick Adams-King, Hampshire County Council leader