Celebrations for Garry Poulson as he marks 25 years of service at Volunteer Centre West Berkshire

Colleagues past and present were among those who gathered recently for a reception to celebrate Volunteer Centre West Berkshire director Garry Poulson’s 25 years of service with the charity.

Having successfully led the organisation, formerly Newbury Volunteer Bureau, for a quarter of a century Mr Poulson was also joined at the Broadway House gathering in Newbury by members of the current VCWB office team, office volunteers, trustees, and friends and associates who have been connected to the charity and to the voluntary sector more widely over the years.

Current VCWB chair of trustees Brien Beharrell thanked Mr Poulson for his years of service and presented him with a certificate of commendation and other gifts on behalf of all present.

Mr Poulson said the surprise presentation had been “all rather lovely”.

“It was the wonderful words that Brien had put together that were very touching and I was very grateful for; I was very moved,” he added.

“It was also particularly nice to have colleagues there who had left and retired from the charity over the 25 years I have been there.

“It just reminds you of the things that have been achieved by a willingness to community spirit. I feel very fortunate to have run the charity for 25 years now and to have worked, and continue to work, with some super people who just try to make West Berkshire a better place.”

In handing over the gifts, Mrs Beharrell thanked Mr Poulson not only for his successful leadership and development of the charity over the years but also commended him for the time he spends as a volunteer himself when not at work.

Mr Poulson thanked everyone for joining him in the celebration and, in turn, praised all those who continue to volunteer their skills and time in order to help others.