Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery receives The King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Alnwick Town Council offer congratulations to the Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery upon hearing the news that they have been presented with a prestigious national award.

The Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery volunteers based in Alnwick have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2026. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

Alnwick Town Mayor Councillor Geoff Watson said “I am delighted that Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery volunteers have been given due recognition for the wonderful work they do in the heart of our community. They are dedicated to sharing heritage old and new with the people of Alnwick and district and are an asset to our town.”

Councillor Glen Sanderson, Northumberland County Council said “This is wonderful news and a testament to the hard work and ambition we have seen. Well done and thanks to everyone involved “.

Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery is an award-winning, volunteer-run People’s Museum, based in Alnwick, Northumberland. Housed in what was previously a church close to Alnwick Castle, Bailiffgate preserves, maintains and continues to tell fascinating stories. It celebrates the heritage of Alnwick and the district connecting with its communities.
Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery is one of 250 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2026 marks the third year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, the award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as Reuben’s Retreat, a group supporting families after the loss of a child and families of children with shorter life expectancy in Greater Manchester; a group providing palliative care in Dyfed, Wales; and a group improving wellbeing in a rural community through plant and bake sales in Perth and Kinross.

Representatives of Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery will receive the award crystal and certificate from Dr Caroline Pryer, Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers from Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery will attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2027, along with other recipients of this year’s award.

Jean Humphrys Chair of Trustees said: “We are absolutely delighted that the work of Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery has been recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. As a volunteer-run People’s Museum, we are passionate about bringing the stories and heritage of Alnwick and the surrounding district to life for people of all ages. This award is a tribute to the dedication, enthusiasm and hard work of our volunteers, whose commitment makes Bailiffgate such a welcoming place to explore, learn and enjoy. We are immensely proud of them and grateful for everything they do.”

Bailiffgate Volunteers want to thank our sponsors for their support, for drawing attention to what we do and for nominating us for this prestigious award.