KINGS AWARD PRESENTATION

The Opening Speech made by Peter Cousins:

Good morning all and welcome to this very special day in the history of the Greater Wigston Historical Society, which is now in its 45th year, and a very warm welcome to my Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire Mr. Mike Kapur, deputy Lieutenants Dave Andrews and Anne Davies, and our Chairman Judith Proctor.

I have apologies from our President Mike Forryan and his wife, who are presently on holiday, but Mike has sent this message:

Firstly I would like to apologise to everyone for not being able to attend this prestigious award ceremony due to being out of the country. It is safe to say that our founder Duncan Lucas would be very proud of all our volunteers and the honour in being thought worthy of it.

A lot of hard work went into planning , setting up and running of the Heritage Centre by a team of dedicated volunteers who, through their efforts, have created a valuable meeting place and historical data resource for both our own community and others worldwide. You all deserve this award - Well Done and Thank You.

The location of today’s presentation is the 2 acre Peace Memorial Park on land formerly known as “Goal Close” bought from its owner Albert Hill in 1921 by the Council for the sum £471.00 for establishing a lasting memorial of the Peace which terminated the Great War.

As you all know on the 14th of November 2024, on the occasion of the Kings Birthday, the Society was awarded the Kings Award for Voluntary Service, and I will now hand over to the Lord Lieutenant for today’s presentation........