A VOLUNTARY initiative based in Keighley and the Worth Valley has received a coveted accolade in recognition of its work.

The Men of Worth Project has been given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Those behind the scheme said they were delighted at the honour, which is the highest that can be bestowed on a voluntary group in the UK.

The project began researching local men, who had served in wartime, two decades ago.

Andy Wade was recording information from war graves, memorials and rolls of honour for men from the Worth Valley, while Ian Walkden was already carrying out similar research in Keighley.

The two joined forces in 2007 to consolidate their resources – and six years later the Men of Worth Project Community Interest Company was established.

Funding was provided by Keighley and Haworth, Cross Roads & Stanbury councils – plus through public donations – and support was given by Bradford Council, particularly Keighley Library staff.

Over the years the project has helped people with research into their relatives’ wartime service and the results of the work have been displayed at a host of events including Keighley Show, the Haworth 1940s Weekend and local history days.

There is also a website, at menofworth.org.uk.

To mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, the Keighley News carried a weekly column spotlighting the bravery of local servicemen – with information supplied by the project.

In addition to the research into individuals, the Men of Worth Project applied for recognition for three local men who had not previously been commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The applications were upheld and each man now has a commission headstone on their war grave.

More recently, the release of records detailing women’s wartime service has enabled the project to research and showcase their considerable contributions.

Through the project’s work, several war memorial boards which were either ‘lost’ or at risk have been found and conserved – in partnership with individuals, businesses and museums – and a new Great War centenary roll of honour was presented to the people of Oakworth in 2019.

Mr Wade said: “We are all delighted that our project’s work to carry out this research has been recognised. We would like to pay tribute to the hard work and commitment of our volunteers and the generous support of local people, councils and archive services.”

Representatives of the Men of Worth Project will receive the award from Ed Anderson, Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, this summer. Also, two volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May next year – Covid restrictions allowing.