On Thursday 27th October, the Chairman of Chaldon Village Council, Ted Howard, presented this year's Chaldon Community Awards to Colin Browne and Katy Richards. The awards scheme was set up in 2009 as a way of saying 'thank you' to those members of the community who give their time and energy to making Chaldon a pleasant place to live. The residents who helped to set up the scheme were also hopeful that it might be a way of encouraging more people, especially young people, to engage in voluntary activities.

It was unanimously agreed that the 'Under 21' 2011 award should go to Katy for her commitment over many years to the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, for her fundraising activities and for her chairmanship of the Chaldon Youth Council. She was also commended for the energy, enthusiasm and thought for others that she brings to village life.

Colin Browne was the very popular winner of the '21 and over' award for his quiet and effective work over 30 years for the village hall, which is in many ways Chaldon's social hub. The building was built to commemorate the First World War and because of its age, it needs a great deal of maintenance. The hall is very well used by various clubs in the village and is available for parties and celebrations.

Colin not only organises all of the maintenance, very often doing it himself, but handles the Health and Safety inspections as well as acting as Treasurer for the Village Hall Trust. Katy and Colin were presented with shields engraved with their names, certificates and cheques for £50. On the same day, presentations of cheques were made to local organisations and charities from the proceeds of the Chaldon Fête, which raised over £6,000 again this year.