The Deepdale and St Georges based group, CRaB (Communities Residents and Businesses) has just been honoured with the prestigious Queens Award for their voluntary work and community engagement.

The Queens award is a very high achievement for a community group, it is the equivalent to an MBE for an individual. Only two groups in Lancashire recieved the award this year, bringing the total of Lancashire groups that have received the award to just 32.

Members of the group were invited to Buckingham Palace for a garden party back in June (pictured above) and on Monday 15 July, 15 representatives from the group and their partner organisation GDCA (Greater Deepdale Community Association) went to receive the award at Lancashire County Hall.

The Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire presented the award in front of a number of Lancashire dignitaries, including the Mayor of Preston, leaders of the County Council and local radio personality Sally Naden.

Group chair, Robin Maudsley gave a speech thanking the local Police, Preston City Council and a number of local businesses.

The group began four years ago, initially with the purpose of bringing down crime on Meadow Street and the surrounding area. Since then they have branched out into organising a gardening club, many community events including a very successful Guild party last summer, and they are now working with the Council to set up a community food growing project on St Barnabas Place.

* Article submitted on behalf of Community Engagement, Preston City Council www.preston.gov.uk/communities *