COMMUNITY stalwart David Monks has been invited attend a Royal garden party with his wife Dorothy in May in recognition of his contribution to village life in Holmes Chapel.
David, who celebrated his 80th birthday last July, has lived in the village for more than 50 years, and has been actively involved in the community for all that time.
David said: “I was dead chuffed to receive the invitation to the garden party.
“I was amazed when I had the invitation, and could not believe it. I thought – why me? There are other people in the village who do more than I do.
“I am really looking forward to the garden party, and hopefully might pick up some gardening tips.”
David will be attending the garden party with his wife Dorothy, who was 80 this month.
The couple raised £2,600 between them as they turned 80, after asking for donations to charity rather than birthday presents.
The money was donated to St Luke’s Hospice and The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
John Clowes, from the Village Volunteers of which David is a member, said: “Dave wants to contribute in any practical way he can.
“He freely gives of his time to help out local people and has to be pressured to seek payment for any expenses.”
As a member of the village Wine Circle David plays a major part in the social activities, but also contributes to the annual bonfire night and Christmas events where the Wine Circle sells mulled wine for a local charity.
David hard at work as a Village Volunteer
David is chairman and a long-standing member of the Goostrey Gooseberry Society, and sets up the events and ensures everything is organised.
He organised the U3A Dancing for Fun group, and taught people in the weekly classes and organised evening socials to raise money for the U3A.
Since the inception of the Village Volunteers 2000 he has been a key member.
The group looks after the garden areas in Holmes Chapel and carries out litter picking.
Dave's van ensures there is water for the plants, collects bags of refuse after a gardening and litter picking session and he buys the plants and compost and provides the power tools such as hedge cutters.
In the 15 years the Christmas lights were put up by the Village Volunteers Dave ensured ladders were available and helped collect the stored bulbs and cables using his van.
David is a keen gardener and opens his garden for charity, raising more than £1,000 each year.
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