Groundsman awarded Lifetime Achievement Award (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Groundsman awarded Lifetime Achievement Award

11:00am Saturday 1st December 2012 in Local By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter

A GROUNDSMAN, who has kept the gardens of a school neat and tidy for 22 years, has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Michael Gouldthorpe was presented with the award for school support staff by the National Association of School Business Management (NASBM) at a ceremony in London’s Marble Arch Hotel.

The Loddon School nominated Mr Gouldthorpe, known as Micky, who they said has made a “massive contribution” to the school’s outdoor environment.

Staff at the Sherfield-on-Loddon school, which is for children who can no longer live at home because of their exceptional support needs, said of Mr Gouldthorpe: “Nothing is too much trouble for him and however challenging it gets, he never loses his sense of humour. We are immensely proud of him.”

The 47-year-old gardener, who lives in Basingstoke, attended a Champagne reception with other award finalists, before enjoying a three-course meal at the ceremony.

He said: “I did not know I had been nominated by my employers until I received a letter from NASBM informing me that I was a finalist.”

He added: “I felt very honoured and humbled to have even been nominated by Loddon and reaching the finals was an unbelievable feeling.

“My category nominations were announced and when my name was called as the winner, I was overwhelmed and felt very proud.

“I would like to thank The Loddon School for valuing my work in putting me forward for this award.”