Windsor Ceremonial Warden's bestowed King's Award for Voluntary Service

A volunteer organisation has been recognised for its work at the town’s ceremonial occasions with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The Ceremonial Wardens, a group of 24 individuals, help marshall crowds at events in Windsor including Remembrance Sunday and the thrice-weekly Changing the Guard.

Equivalent to an MBE, the awards were known for over 20 years as the Queen’s award, having been created in 2002 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee.

This year marks the first they have been bestowed under the King’s name.

Ceremonial Wardens co-ordinator, Ron Gardner, said the group was ‘honoured’ to receive the award.

He said: “It’s nice to receive a bit of commendation for our work, especially from his majesty the King in his first year with the awards.”

After a request from the Royal Borough to supplement police operations at ceremonial events, the wardens were formed in 2013.

Therefore, in addition to the award, 2023 year holds further significance as the group has reached a milestone 10-year anniversary.

Ron added: “We all enjoy it because we like the interaction with the general public and the people who may have come a long way to see the changing of the guard.

“We’re there to answer any questions because a lot of the police that attend the event might not necessarily have any hands-on knowledge of the Windsor area.

“If someone asks: ‘where can I get the bus to Legoland?’ or ’what’s the regiment of the day?’ we’re there to offer that help.”

Some of the organisation’s members worked as ambassadors at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games and draw from that experience in their warden capacity.

“We’re another set of eyes and ears to see what’s going on,” said Ron.

“We hope it doesn’t go on but there’s always a chance disruption could happen.”

Ron was also keen to praise all 24 members for their work as a team in receiving the award and added ‘there’s no chief, no hierarchy, there’s no I in team’.

The Mayor, Councillor Neil Knowles, described the wardens as 'a credit to the borough'.

He said: “My congratulations to our Ceremonial Wardens on receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

"The wardens assist with event management and the supervision of crowds at the Guard Change in Windsor, as well as other significant public events in and around the town.

 “This award is well deserved. The wardens are a credit to the borough and show great commitment and dedication to their role, and are pivotal in ensuring the safe delivery of the events that they support.

"They are a highly visible, reassuring presence, and I’m delighted to see their hard work recognised in this way.”