Merry Christmas

As we near the end of 2012 I am sure you will agree has been a very memorable one and I wish you all (Bob, Peter, David, Graham, Graham, Richard, Mike, John, Pat, Finola and Brian) a Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2013.

A huge thanks to you all throughout 2012, no matter how big or small a contribution you give we continue to grow and provide the NCN and spread the word of Sustrans in the Grantham area. Although in a semi hibernation it is good to reflect on what the group has achieved throughout the year with numerous workdays, signing rides, led rides with the Newark group and not to mention our attendance at the Grantham Canal Discovery Day.

This year has seen us with two new faces to the group, John and the most recent Brian over in Sleaford, hopefully the group will continue to grow. Sustrans staff wise will see two new additions for our area with the appointment of a Bike it officer for Sleaford and Grantham schools in the new year and a new Sustrans volunteer co-ordinator who will be based in Nottingham.

I will be in touch again in the New Year with some new dates for workdays from early Feb through to March end. But do let me know what you want to do in 2013.

Till then, keep pedalling.

David

Sustrans volunteers honoured by The Queen

The Cabinet Office and Buckingham Palace has announced today that Sustrans has been awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award 2012. This prestigious award was put in place to honour the efforts of charities and voluntary organisations that undertake projects at a national level this year, including groups which are supporting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award is an extension of the successful Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the highest recognition for volunteering, with an equivalent status to the UK MBE.

On Sustrans receiving the Queens Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award, Sustrans National Volunteer Programme Manager Tony Ambrose said, "

We are delighted that the hard work and commitment of our volunteers is being recognised by this special award."

The work of our volunteers lies at the heart of everything we do at Sustrans. From being our eyes and ears on our National Cycle Network, to getting more people in their communities cycling and walking - their support is key to our success in making the UK healthier and happier."

I would also like to give my thanks to all of you for your tireless help not only in 2012 but for years previous and I am sure future ones too.
David Martin

A full list of the winners are as follows, the recipients are split into three categories. 

National organisations:

• Action on Hearing Loss
• Age UK
• Association of Young People with ME
• Black Leadership Initiative
• Body and Soul
• British Red Cross – London
• British Youth Council
• Calibre Audio Library
• Chest, Heart and Stroke (Scotland)
• Children's Hospice Association Scotland
• Coastguard Rescue Service
• Community Money Advice
• Contact the Elderly
• Family Lives
• Girlguiding UK
• Guide Dogs for the Blind
• Home-Start UK
• Hope UK
• Junior Chamber International UK
• Make a Wish Foundation UK
• Marie Curie Cancer Care
• Maritime Volunteer Services
• Meningitis Trust
• Methodist Homes
• MindWise
• Missing People
• National Prevention of Cruelty to Children
• Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network
• People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals
• Place2Be
• RNIB
• RNLI
• Sea Cadets
• SNAP  Cymru
• St John Ambulance
• Sue Ryder
• Sustrans Volunteer Programme
• The Scout Association
• The Shannon Trust
• Victim Support
• Vinspired
• Woodland Trust
• Young Enterprise
• YouthNet

Olympic and Paralympic voulnteering projects:

• Coventry Ambassadors
• Essex Ambassadors Sports Delivery & London 2012 Legacy Essex County Council
• Gamesmaker Volunteers – LOCOG
• Glasgow Life - Ambassador Programme
• Newham's Volunteers
• Team London Ambassadors
• The Balloons Project
• The Mayor’s Community Champions: Tower Hamlets
• Volunteer NOW

Sport and dance organisations:

• Big Dance 2012 volunteers
• British Cycling
• Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust
• England Hockey Board
• The England and Wales Cricket Board
• StreetGames UK
• Volleyball England 

New Volunteer Publications- Coming Soon

Keep an eye out for the postman who will soon be delivering a new issue of The Movement- the Sustrans volunteer newsletter along with a new volunteer handbook.

Radcliffe Bike Jumble, 28 Oct

Just heard about a Bike Jumble happening this weekend at Radcliffe on Sunday 28th October.
More information on this can be found at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/stu_collins/bikejumbles/pages/calendar.html#this

NCR 15 Widening

Just a quick update on the work to NCR 15 on Harlaxton Road, the first section of new path is now finished and tarmaced to a good standard. The contractors have now moved onto the area under the A1 flyover to widen the path and resurface.