Dedicated groundsman John Olley died just a few days after hearing he had won an award for tirelessly serving his village for 30 years.

Mr Olley, 79, of Whitehall Lane, Checkendon, south Oxfordshire, died at the weekend following a short illness. He leaves a widow, Joyce, who was picking up the award on his behalf at a ceremony today in Oxford.

The loyal village servant was nominated for a Rural Volunteer Award by Checkendon Parish Council vice-chairman Douglas Griggs, who said: "He had worked in the village selflessly for 30 years. He helped when the playing fields were first bought.

"After he retired he was groundsman ever since - it had been his life. He kept the area immaculately and it was a focal point of the village. He was a very pleasant chap." He added: "He was very pleased indeed to get the award."

Mr Olley's funeral takes place in the village tomorrow. Eight other individuals received their awards from the Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Rev Anthony Russell, at Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford.

Margaret Grant, 65, of Stanford in the Vale, has organised a wildlife club for youngsters for the past ten years. Her latest club project has been the study of flora and fauna in the local churchyard of St Denys's.

Another Stanford resident who has been honoured is Jill Smith, of Bow Road. She is a lay reader at the church and helps to run social lunches in the village. She also helped the organisation Dialability, based at the Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre, Abingdon Road, Oxford, to provide an information helpline for disabled people.

Another award was given to Joe Williams, 18, of High Street, Hook Norton, who has worked tirelessly for the village senior youth club since he was 12 years of age.

He started by helping out behind the coffee bar but recently attended youth work courses to expand the club for 11 to 16-year-olds and pioneer a junior section.

Popular beat bobby Rodney Stevens, of Middleton Stoney, has been given a posthumous award. Mr Stevens, who died of cancer aged 57 in December last year, served almost every village around Bicester during his 25 years' service.

Three west Oxfordshire women won awards for their voluntary work in the local community. Miss Sarah Constable, 19, of Bampton, won the young person category for her work at the village's youth club. She helps every Tuesday evening alongside a youth worker to organise activities for young people aged ten to 15.

Gilly Barnard has lived in the village of Salford, near Chipping Norton, for 23 years. She is a church warden and secretary of the parochial church council and the local history group, a driver for Volunteer Connection and visits the housebound and people in hospital. She was recognised for the unlimited time and care she has given to the community.

Eva Barker, of Asthall, near Burford, set up the Shifford Carriage Driving for the Disabled Group ten years ago. The group has ten volunteers who arrange outings, parties and fundraising.

In south Oxfordshire, Joan Brewerton was rewarded for helping residents in sheltered accommodation and members of the day centre in Cholsey, near Wallingford, for the past ten years.

Story date: Thursday 18 February

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