Venerable Volunteer Scoops Landmark Award for Services to Science. (5th June 2009)
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Volunteers' Week, and on this landmark occasion, Peter Reed from Leominster in Herefordshire has been named Volunteer of the Year by the British Science Association. He has received the Walter Bodmer Award for Volunteers in recognition for his hard work and dedication in his role as Recorder for the History of Science Section.
Since he took up this vital role in 2002, he has also been a tireless volunteer at the British Science Festival, ensuring science remains accessible to all. Next year he will also bring an invaluable local insight and extensive Festival experience to his current role on the Association’s programme committee, which is already planning for the British Science Festival Birmingham in 2010.
Furthermore, Peter has been credited with invigorating the West Midlands Branch of the British Science Association significantly since taking over as Chair, providing inspirational support and motivation to its committee members.
Peter commented; 'This has come as a complete surprise and I am deeply honoured to have been given this award. When you take on various tasks or positions they are done without reward in mind but it’s very gratifying when they occur. Although you can provide a degree of leadership you also need to have a good team working with you and we certainly have that in the West Midlands; what we have achieved to date is a reflection of that team effort not just mine alone.'
The award is given annually by the British Science Association to a dedicated volunteer or group of volunteers in recognition of the great value and impact of its volunteers. Peter will attend the British Science Festival in Guildford, Surrey this September to collect his award.
‘Peter is extremely deserving of this award, and we would like to thank him for all his efforts over the years,’ says Roland Jackson, Chief Executive of the British Science Association. ‘He is a marvellous example of how our large network of volunteers around the UK helps us to develop links with local communities and reach a wide audience of all ages. Without enthusiastic individuals such as Peter we could not hope to achieve even a fraction of what we currently do.’
Volunteers' Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1 – 7 June of each year and it plays a huge part in raising the profile of the millions of volunteers who regularly contribute to society, while inspiring others to get involved too.
For more information about volunteering for the British Science Association, visit www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/AboutUs/Volunteering.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Ollie Christophers, Communications Officer, British Science Association.
Tel: 020 7019 4946
Email: ollie.christophers@britishscienceassociation.org
Notes for editors
1. The British Science Association (formerly British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the British Science Association organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual British Science Festival, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The British Science Association also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information about the British Science Association, please visit www.britishscienceassociation.org
2. In recognition of the great value and impact of our volunteers, the British Science Association instituted the Sir Walter Bodmer Award for Volunteers in 2004. This annual award is made each June, and the winner is invited to receive their award at the Science Festival Dinner. The patron of the award is Sir Walter Bodmer, a past Chair of the British Science Association Council, and a founder of one of the biggest volunteering organisations in the UK (Imperial Cancer Research Fund).
3. Peter Reed was a chemistry teacher for some years and subsequently worked for many years for the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside. He has written and researched widely on the history of chemistry and the chemical industry in the nineteenth century, with a number of publications to his name. He is a keen advocate of public engagement with science and the desire to bring science to wider public audiences underpins all of his involvement with the British Science Association.
Peter is also a multiple volunteer for other organisations, including Kidderminster Carpet Museum, his local Town Council and the British Society for the History of Science.
The British Science Festival will take place in Guildford, Surrey from 5-10 September, bringing over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and engineers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. For more information visit www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/BritishScienceFestival
4. Volunteers' Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1 – 7 June each year. It plays a huge part in raising the profile of England’s 22 million volunteers while encouraging others to get involved. For more information visit the Volunteers’ Week website www.volunteersweek.org.uk or contact the team on 0845 305 6979 or at volunteersweek@volunteeringengland.org.
5. For further information about the British Science Association’s branches, visit
www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/RegionsandBranches
Since he took up this vital role in 2002, he has also been a tireless volunteer at the British Science Festival, ensuring science remains accessible to all. Next year he will also bring an invaluable local insight and extensive Festival experience to his current role on the Association’s programme committee, which is already planning for the British Science Festival Birmingham in 2010.
Furthermore, Peter has been credited with invigorating the West Midlands Branch of the British Science Association significantly since taking over as Chair, providing inspirational support and motivation to its committee members.
Peter commented; 'This has come as a complete surprise and I am deeply honoured to have been given this award. When you take on various tasks or positions they are done without reward in mind but it’s very gratifying when they occur. Although you can provide a degree of leadership you also need to have a good team working with you and we certainly have that in the West Midlands; what we have achieved to date is a reflection of that team effort not just mine alone.'
The award is given annually by the British Science Association to a dedicated volunteer or group of volunteers in recognition of the great value and impact of its volunteers. Peter will attend the British Science Festival in Guildford, Surrey this September to collect his award.
‘Peter is extremely deserving of this award, and we would like to thank him for all his efforts over the years,’ says Roland Jackson, Chief Executive of the British Science Association. ‘He is a marvellous example of how our large network of volunteers around the UK helps us to develop links with local communities and reach a wide audience of all ages. Without enthusiastic individuals such as Peter we could not hope to achieve even a fraction of what we currently do.’
Volunteers' Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1 – 7 June of each year and it plays a huge part in raising the profile of the millions of volunteers who regularly contribute to society, while inspiring others to get involved too.
For more information about volunteering for the British Science Association, visit www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/AboutUs/Volunteering.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Ollie Christophers, Communications Officer, British Science Association.
Tel: 020 7019 4946
Email: ollie.christophers@britishscienceassociation.org
Notes for editors
1. The British Science Association (formerly British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the British Science Association organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual British Science Festival, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The British Science Association also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information about the British Science Association, please visit www.britishscienceassociation.org
2. In recognition of the great value and impact of our volunteers, the British Science Association instituted the Sir Walter Bodmer Award for Volunteers in 2004. This annual award is made each June, and the winner is invited to receive their award at the Science Festival Dinner. The patron of the award is Sir Walter Bodmer, a past Chair of the British Science Association Council, and a founder of one of the biggest volunteering organisations in the UK (Imperial Cancer Research Fund).
3. Peter Reed was a chemistry teacher for some years and subsequently worked for many years for the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside. He has written and researched widely on the history of chemistry and the chemical industry in the nineteenth century, with a number of publications to his name. He is a keen advocate of public engagement with science and the desire to bring science to wider public audiences underpins all of his involvement with the British Science Association.
Peter is also a multiple volunteer for other organisations, including Kidderminster Carpet Museum, his local Town Council and the British Society for the History of Science.
The British Science Festival will take place in Guildford, Surrey from 5-10 September, bringing over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and engineers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. For more information visit www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/BritishScienceFestival
4. Volunteers' Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1 – 7 June each year. It plays a huge part in raising the profile of England’s 22 million volunteers while encouraging others to get involved. For more information visit the Volunteers’ Week website www.volunteersweek.org.uk or contact the team on 0845 305 6979 or at volunteersweek@volunteeringengland.org.
5. For further information about the British Science Association’s branches, visit
www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/RegionsandBranches
search this section
