BEING recognised as an exceptional employee brings an added confidence in the workplace, says last year s winner Julie White, who manages Buckden Millennium Centre. I find I am now setting myself goals and targets, she told The Hunts Post. For example,

BEING recognised as an exceptional employee brings an added confidence in the workplace, says last year's winner Julie White, who manages Buckden Millennium Centre.

"I find I am now setting myself goals and targets," she told The Hunts Post. "For example, with our 40th anniversary fast approaching, I have managed to obtain the services of an excellent local swing band at no cost. They will perform at our anniversary black tie ball on July 4 2009.

"But, ever mindful that we are here for everyone, not just those who can afford the cost of the ticket, I hope to put on a party for everyone in the village, because without their support we would not have made it this far.

"I have a renewed sense of purpose and am constantly looking to encourage everyone within Buckden and the surrounding villages to use the facilities here, to build on the Centres profile and reputation," she added.

"My ultimate goal is to ensure that there is something going on here for everyone, that this is a place where everyone feels welcome and that it is a place they want to return to.

"To say that I was absolutely delighted to win the Employee of the Year is probably one of the understatements of the year. Being nominated by Mark Freeman, the chairman of the Buckden Village Hall Trust and by my peers on the management committee, all of whom I hold in very high esteem, touched me beyond words."

Julie believes the award is not just a personal achievement but also reflects on the trust and the Millennium Centre (which coincidently won the Community Building of the Year award for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in September 2007).

"Winning validates the support and encouragement everyone has given me. Heading towards 2009 and the 40th anniversary of the Buckden Village Hall Trust, I have the confidence actively to seek sources of new business, to negotiate and barter until I get what we need and to work constantly towards our prime objective - to provide for the social and recreational needs of our community.

"I no longer feel that we are only a Village Hall. We play a vital part in the life of this community. People who might otherwise spend their time alone have somewhere to come to meet and make friends. They know they can come here and be part of the community. I am very proud to be a small part of that.