The Richmond Award

In 2006, the Duke of Richmond retired as President of Action in rural Sussex after 32 years. To mark his retirement he endorsed the establishment of a community award in his name – 'The Richmond Award'.

The Award reflects the Duke's keen interest in the needs of rural young people and how they can be encouraged to remain working and living in their own communities. The award is given to celebrate an individual, community, organisation or group who has worked to encourage young people to remain living in the communities that they have grown up in.

Each year AirS’ staff are asked to nominate candidates for the award. These nominations are considered and the decision is made by the AirS Trustees.

This year's winner of the Richmond Award

The Richmond Award for this year has been awarded to the Billingshurst Community Partnership - Youth Projects Team, led by Denise Campbell. Over the past 4 years the team has developed a very sucessful programme of youth activities ranging from graffiti workshops to dance nights, and from drop in clubs to youth band nights. Every effort has been made to engage the youth of the community by getting them involved in community work (Youth Enterprise Scheme). Whilst the scheme has been overseen by the Partnership, participation from businesses and other community groups has been encouraged to ensure that the projects are sustainable both financially and logistically.

A presentation evening will take place at Billingshurst Village Hall on 2 April 2009, where the Duke of Richmond will present Denise and her team with a commemorative plate in recognition of all their hard work.

Denise Campbell receiving the Richmond Award from the Duke of Richmond, on behalf of the Billingshurst Community Partnership - Youth Projects Team

Click here for Press Release April 2009.

Past Recipients of the Richmond Award

Gemma Kybert, a young teacher by profession, from Chailey, seized the initiative after local complaints about unruly youngsters with nothing to do and set up a youth club in the parish.  Gemma now runs club sessions for 20 members in the village hall on Friday nights as well as raising funds for and organising trips out in school holidays. She also drives the youngsters to the club from their homes to keep them off the busy road. It was clear that Gemma had taken a lead role and continues to work tirelessly to improve and develop the youth activities further within the village. 

2006: Kirdford Parish in Chichester, West Sussex

The parish of Kirdford had suffered the sudden closure of its primary school in 2005 and the transfer of pupils to the adjacent school in Plaistow. As the site of the school was now vacant, the parish came together to identify appropriate uses for the site. The community turned a negative sitiuation into a positive by working hard to achieve an affordable housing scheme for local people and a much needed children’s play areas.

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