Cherished couple's award coup

Updated: 10 Apr 2024

Congratulations to Keith and Margaret Glanville, joint winners of our 2023 'Achieving Together' Making a Difference Award.

Keith and Margaret proudly show off their award trophy

Achieving together

With more than 120 years of membership between them, husband and wife, Keith and Margaret Glanville, took the top spot in the award's ‘Achieving Together’ category.

The couple received their trophy at an awards ceremony on Tuesday 23 May in Eastbourne as part of the Oddfellows' annual conference.

The 'Achieving Together' accolade recognises Keith and Margaret’s team effort to significantly improve the lives of other members and make their Branch and the Society the best they can be.

Society role models

Members of Derwent Valley Branch, the couple have assumed a number of roles over the years, from volunteering to both being a Past District Chairman (Past Provincial Grand Master) in Derby – Keith twice!

Keith joined the Oddfellows as a young boy, keen to follow in his father’s footsteps – a Past Provincial Grand Master himself. 

In his younger days, when the District owned many properties, Keith would visit the tenant and collect rent money.

He also set up a well-attended walking group, for which he also arranged regular holidays to the likes of the Lake District and Wales. He continued to organise this and a bowls group until recently.

When the pair married in 1970, Margaret also joined the Society. She still organises and volunteers at a number of social events at the Branch to this day, and takes a seat on the social committee.

I wouldn’t have missed Oddfellowship for the world

Keith said: “I’ve done all the things you can do in Oddfellowship. I’ve been around the block a bit and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

On getting the news that they had been chosen as winners of the award, Margaret says they were both in “absolute disbelief”.

“We didn’t even know that we’d been nominated,” she said. “It’s wonderful. We do what we do because we enjoy doing it.”

Keith added: “The thought that people have thought us deserving of this award is marvellous. It’s nice to be appreciated, even though we do it as a matter of course.”

A way of life

The pair have introduced countless people to the Oddfellows in their time, and say they have made many friends along the way.

“It’s something special,” Margaret said. “You’ve got to go and see what it’s all about.

“Please come along and enjoy what you can. You don’t know until you try it. I didn’t know what I was getting myself in for!”

Keith agreed with his wife, saying: “There’s so many things you can do to make life entertaining – coffee mornings, walking groups, making friends. It has it all.”

Applauding dedication

Jane Nelson, CEO of the Oddfellows, said: “The years of dedication and service that Margaret and Keith have given to the Oddfellows is nothing short of astounding and I couldn’t think of two more worthy winners of this award.

“Their enthusiasm for the Society is infectious and they are a credit to us all.”

Margaret and Keith were presented with their trophy by the Society's Chairman, David Ogden 

Derwent Valley District Chairman, Christine Shelton, said: “Margaret and Keith have given many years of service to the Oddfellows – as officers, attending conferences, and as volunteers. They both act as advocates for the Society and are excellent role models.

“Together, their tireless dedication to Oddfellowship is a powerful force that helps to keep our community flourishing.

“If they were sticks of rock they would say ‘Oddfellows’ through and through.”

Our other 2023 award-winners

Meet our other three cherished award-winners on our Making A Difference Awards page.

Who makes a difference in your Branch?

If you know somebody in your Branch who has gone above and beyond to help and support members of the Oddfellows, why not nominate them for a 2023 Making a Difference Award?

Any member can nominate another member. You can learn more about the different categories in the Making a Difference Awards section of our website.

To find details of your nearest Branch, visit our Branch Finder. To search for local events, visit our Events Finder.

There are also monthly online open days where you can find out more about the Oddfellows and what membership to your local friendship group has to offer.

If you're interested in joining an Oddfellows friendship group, contact us and we can send you a free information pack and local events diary.