A STOURBRIDGE community group received a very special visit from Sophie, Countess of Wessex, this afternoon, who awarded them with the highest accolade a voluntary group can receive.

Her royal highness was welcomed to the Happy Hours Club, based at the Elton Centre in St John’s Road, by club chairman Johnny Fowkes.

The club, which offers a safe environment for local people with learning difficulties involving themed evenings, games and discos, was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service earlier this year.

Created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the award winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

The countess attended a special ceremony at Stourbridge's Elton Centre this afternoon to present Mr Fowkes and club secretary Sharon Atkins with their award.

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Mr Fowkes said: “We were so honoured to have Sophie here with us today. It was brilliant to have her visit and she spoke to every individual in the room.

“Going around the room she spent a lot of time with every member, and she made us all feel at ease and very relaxed. She was such a lovely person.

“But her visit was all about thanking our helpers for the great job they do in giving up their spare time and volunteering with us.

“If it wasn’t for our 25 volunteers we wouldn’t be able to run the club, leaving 60 local people with learning difficulties with nowhere to go.”

While at the centre, the wife of Prince Edward made sure to speak to each of the club’s members, asking questions about both their time as part of the group as well as their outside interests.

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Club member Sara Gregory said: “It was so exciting to meet her and I was a bit nervous, even though I have met her before.

“We spoke about all the activities about the group as well as what we're going to be doing for Christmas. We even found out that she loves sprouts!”

Other local dignitaries invited to the ceremony included Deputy Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Mohammed Hanif, and deputy mayoress Zabeda Khanan.

Cllr Hanif said: “I was delighted to have been able to welcome her royal highness to Stourbridge today.

“It is always a great time when a member of the royal family makes a visit, especially when it is to award an inspirational group like Happy Hours.”

Happy Hours Club is one of 187 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups which received the prestigious award this year; given in recognition of outstanding work in the community.

Major Sylvia Parkin, a West Midlands Deputy Lieutenant, who visited the club earlier this year as part of the award nomination, also played a part of today’s ceremony.

She said: “I was very impressed with Happy Hours and I found all the members inspirational.

“Especially the way the club provides a much needed service to a group of people who obviously enjoy life when their needs are met.

“Happy hours is staffed by dedicated and committed volunteers. Long may it continue.”

Mr Fowkes said the club, which meets every Tuesday evening for two hours, is going from strength to strength.

He added: “At the moment we are at our maximum capacity for the Elton Centre, but we are always looking to expand what we do and would love to have a sister group set up to bring joy to even more local people.”

For more information about Happy Hours contact Johnny Fowkes on 07761 210214 or johnfowkes@btinternet.com