The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE, has been awarded to volunteers at the North Norfolk Railway.

The award recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups that benefit their communities. It was created to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, and this year the North Norfolk Railway was one of 244 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award.

The list was announced in June last year at Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend, but the ceremony was postponed because of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The ceremony eventually took place yesterday, Thursday, 24th March at Sheringham Station when the Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk, Adel MacNicol, presented the crystal award to representatives of the line’s 500 volunteers who had joined dignitaries for the ceremony.

All those present at the ceremony then all travelled aboard a special steam-hauled train on a return trip to Holt. Two volunteers from the North Norfolk Railway and other recipients of the Award will also be invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace this May.

The North Norfolk Railway operates steam and heritage diesel trains along 5½ miles of restored track from Sheringham to Weybourne and Holt and is one of Norfolk’s most popular tourist attractions. Each year, it welcomes around 165,000 passengers per annum, with steam trains running between April and October.

Each year the railway stages a number of special events, including an annual 1940s Weekend, the Norfolk Lights Express, Santa Specials at Christmas, and luxury dining on “The North Norfolkman”.

A team of dedicated volunteers are mainly responsible for running the railway, with the support of The Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society, which is a registered charity.

Another busy year is planned for the railway this year, with steam and heritage diesel trains running almost every day between April and October,. There is also a busy schedule of dining train services and special events. Advance booking is recommended for all trains, and details of timetables, fares, and how to book can be found at www.nnrailway.co.uk.

Hugh Harkett, Managing Director, said ‘We are extremely proud to receive this Award, our volunteers really are the lifeblood of the Railway and we are continually thankful for their dedication and support.

“The North Norfolk Railway is a not-for-profit enterprise so the support of volunteers is really crucial to our survival and we are delighted that the fantastic contribution they make has been officially celebrated in this way. The ceremony is a great boost ahead of our main season, which begins on April 1.”