GROUPS, volunteers and organisation were put in the spotlight and honoured at the Hartley Wintney Parish Council chairman’s reception.

At the event on Monday, 25 February, awards were presented to those that had made a contribution to Hartley Wintney.

The community awards went to an array of individuals, including Lynda Ellis, who was part of a group who marked the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World by honouring every soldier on the war memorial with a special bell tolling.

The group also included Martin Barnes and Alan Giles, two of the bell ringers, and Alison Barnes and John Elliott, who researched every soldier.

Crew manager at Hartley Wintney fire station Steven Bartlett received the Queen’s Long Service and Good Conduct Award for 20 years’ service at the fire station while colleague Dave Bartlett was also given an award for 25 years of service.

Both Luke Mullen and Elayne Duddridge, from Hartley Wintney Football Club, were honoured.

Combined, they have played roles at the club for more than 30 years overall.

Luke was a player, and now works as the chairman at the club, and has overseen the club to its highest ever league position, while Elayne has helped in managing the club administration, growth and expansion of the club over the years.

The Vaughan Memorial Award was presented to the football club for putting the village on the footballing map by getting promoted to the Southern Premier Division South last season.

The Royal British Legion Cup was given to the Hartley Wintney branch for organising Armistice Day events and galvanising the raising of funds for the restoration of the war memorial.

George Davey, who runs the Hartley Wintney Facebook and Twitter pages and also sits on the Victoria Hall committee, was given recognition at the reception evening.