Parish member receives rare Platinum Champion Award

Sarah Troughton came to St John’s Church in Devizes to congratulate Alice Boyd, who worships at the church, on being Wiltshire’s only winner of the special Platinum Champion Award, which has been granted in honour of Her Majesty The Queen and the great example she has set in her 70 years of service.  

Alice has volunteered for Wiltshire Sight and The Talking Newspaper for 20 years, as a magistrate for 18 years, and more recently has been a marshal at Devizes’ covid vaccination centre.  

Sarah Troughton, HM Lord-Lieutenant for Wiltshire, said:  

“I am delighted that Alice has been specially honoured as the only person in Wiltshire to receive a Platinum Champion Award, an initiative started by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall. Only 490 awards were made across the whole of the UK, so this deserved honour is a very select one. 

“She was nominated by another Alice, Alice Cleland, a former national Vice Chairman of the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS). The contribution of both Alices to life in Wiltshire over many years has been exemplary.”  

Award recipient Alice Boyd said:  

“I am humbled and very, very, honoured to receive this award. I volunteer to contribute to the community in which I live and make it a better place. I know that I am very fortunate to be able to do so.”  

Alice Cleland, who made the nomination, said:  

“I know how much volunteering Alice has done over the years and I was reminded of this when I saw her outside the Corn Exchange in Devizes on so many cold winter days helping with the vaccination programme. When I saw nominations being sought for this award, I knew of nobody more deserving.”  

The Revd Jonathan Poston, Rector of St John’s in Devizes where Alice worships, said:  

“We are so proud of Alice who works so hard in our church and our community.”