We held our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 27th September in Bakewell and the highlight of the meeting was, as always, presenting the DDCVS Annual Award to a local voluntary group.

This year the award went to Bakewell Tools for Self-Reliance.

Each year the award is presented to a voluntary or community group in celebration of their achievement and commitment to their cause.

Tools for Self-Reliance lost their local base some years ago and have worked hard to keep the group going, making use of temporary space in Youlgrave and the committee’s own garages, and connecting with the District Council to secure new premises in the town.

It is a great resource which stops useful kit from going to landfill, to be shared with communities in developing countries in need of tools, as well as providing hands-on volunteering experience for people who like fixing things.

Martin Townsend presented the award to Mary Pope, Secretary of the group, and in addition Mary received a framed certificate and £200 for the organisation.

Another high point of the morning was the musical interlude performed by Sophie and Nick of District Musicians Community Interest Company.

They led a lovely sing-a-long to old favourites and allowed those interested to have a go with their variety of musical instruments.

The end of the music signalled the start of our ‘networking’ event where, over tea and biscuits, there was the chance to talk to the local organisations that had kindly set up stalls  around the room to promote their group / service.

It was a wonderful morning and we would like to thank all those who attended for joining us, and in particular to all our stall-holders who made it such as interesting morning, to District Musicians for providing the music and to Tools for Self-Reliance for telling us about their work.