In August 2026, we held our annual Thank You event for our volunteers. The day started with presentations and an awards ceremony at Blakeney Village Hall.

This was a great opportunity for volunteers who may not usually get a chance to get together, with our Communications and Marketing volunteer, Carol, sharing that spending time with one of our younger volunteers was a highlight of the day for her:

'I travelled to Blakeney Village Hall in the coach that had been arranged from Norwich. It was on this coach that I met Alex, who turned out to be a volunteer in the Youth Forum. A really lovely young person, who was great company for this old person and conversation made time pass quickly.'

This year, the event saw us handing out our special Centenary Volunteer Awards, to recognise some of the wonderful work done by our volunteers. After inviting nominations from our staff and volunteers, four winners were chosen by our panel of carefully selected judges.

Our Centenary Volunteer Award winners were:

Exceptional contribution by a volunteer: Seamus Griffin, a 'guide in the hide' at Holme Dunes, who is also happy to step into other roles at the reserve when needed.

Exceptional contribution by a volunteer group: Anna Morgan and Paul Lynch, who work tirelessly at Sweet Briar Marshes, helping with practical tasks, events and community engagement.

Exceptional contribution by a young volunteer or volunteer group (11 to 25 years): Wilder Wardens, who meet regularly at Hickling Broad and Sweet Briar Marshes to support habitat creation and reserve upkeep.

Volunteer-nominated award – individual or group: Duncan Westlake, who has spent 20 years keeping records of Southrepps Common's flora and fauna, helping to inform the way the Commons are cared for.

All four winners received a beautiful engraved trophy made out of oak, while the other award nominees were given a framed certificate to acknowledge their outstanding contributions.

Our highly commended nominees were:

• Carol McStravick
• Caroline Spinks
• Cley Events Team
• County Wildlife Sites Survey volunteers
• Finn Triffitt
• Hannah Creasey
• Hannah Vincent
• Holt Lowes volunteers
• John Coadwell
• Melanie Knibbs
• Peter Callf
• Richard Starling
• Steve Cook
• The Youth Forum

In Carol's words, hearing all about the nominees 'was really interesting, as it gave a snapshot of the hard work that other people had put in to support NWT. There was someone who had led walks for 20 years! All nominees got a framed certificate - including me! – I thought this was a lovely touch and seemed to be appreciated by all.'

As the afternoon (and the rain!) arrived, the group headed to Cley Marshes visitor centre for guided walks, lunch and a performance by all-female folk-inspired band, Murmurations.

'They were brilliant!' Carol said of the band. 'Beautiful atmospheric music and words, close harmony singing accompanied by cello and mandolin, together with guitar, bouzouki, or harmonium. By the time they started their set a rainbow appeared outside in the distance and the rain had subsided to more of a drizzle. It was quite magical.'

A huge thank you to everyone who was involved in putting this special event together – and, of course, to every one of our phenomenal volunteers, for all of the skill, dedication and passion that they bring to Norfolk Wildlife Trust every day.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with us, head here to find out more.