A VILLAGE store in the Dales which was saved by the community from closure has received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Clapham Village Store was announced in June as one of six charities in North Yorkshire to receive the highest award given to voluntary organisations.

Representatives of the shop joined those from the other organisations to collect their awards, considered to be the equivalent of an MBE, at a ceremony last week held at the home of the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Jo Ropner.

Those who manage and run the store were described in the citation accompanying the award as: “These volunteers are doing everything right - a lively, spirited bunch, full of respect for each other and their community, and with enthusiasm. They have every reason to be proud of what they have created. “Clapham Community Shop stands out as an exemplar of voluntary service at the heart of a community. It’s a model of excellent practice for any community organisation, retail or otherwise - and most deserving of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.”

Sue Mann, chairman of the shop’s management committee said: “We feel proud and privileged to have this award and to be standing alongside the other amazing voluntary organisations who have received it. It is a tribute all our volunteers, the staff who work with us and the community which supports us.’

Alongwith Clapham Village Shop, others to receive the award were Claro Enterprises, Hambleton FoodShare, Bedale Riding for the Disabled Association, Saltburn Beachwatch and Scuba Diving for All.

Mrs Ropner said: “It was a privilege to host the awards ceremony which saw these six charities rightly honoured for all their hard work.The awards are a great opportunity to demonstrate that their work does not go unnoticed, and are a brilliant way to showcase their work to a large audience.”

It was in early 2014 when a few residents in Clapham looked into the idea of running the village store as a community owned business. There was overwhelming support so a steering group was set up to take the project forward.

Clapham Community Shop was set up and within weeks, nearly £50, 000 was raised, including more than £33,000 through a community share offer. The shop reopened in March, 2015.

There will be an open evening at the shop on Thursday, October 24 between 5pm and 7pm.