Coronation champion who’s off to Windsor Castle concert

HER secret is out — Henley campaigner Laura Reineke has won a Coronation Champions Award.

The founder of Henley Music School and member of the Henley Mermaids open water swimming group has been recognised for
outstanding commitment to
volunteering.

She is one of 500 people to receive the award out of more than 5,000 who were nominated and has been rewarded with an invitation to the coronation concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday, May 7.

Laura, 50, who lives in Damer Gardens, learned about her honour last week but was not allowed to tell anyone until Tuesday.

She said: “I got the email quite late at night and I couldn’t sleep, I was so excited. I’ve never won anything like this before. I have had to keep it quiet until now and not been allowed to tell a soul.” In 2010 Laura founded her school, a charity which offers music education to anyone regardless of age, ability, background or means.

In December last year she launched a £1 million appeal to refurbish the school’s new permanent base at Trinity Hall in Harpsden Road, so that it can become a place for charities, community groups and friends to meet.

The new Henley Community Hub is a not-for-profit company pending being granted charity status.

As one of the five Mermaids, she has raised awareness of sewage pollution in the River Thames, including with a swim from the source of the river to Henley last year in aid of the campaigning charity Surfers Against Sewage.

At the finish line, by Henley Bridge, the women led a protest by 100 residents about sewage dumping in the river. The Mermaids have raised more than £90,000 for charity over the past three years with various challenging swims, including across the Channel.

Laura was nominated by Rosemary Duckett, of Marlow Road, Henley, who has known her since she was a baby.

She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled she got it. It is so well deserved.
She has worked so hard to set up Henley Music School and build it up and her enthusiasm and verve means it has got on so well.

“I’ve known her since she was two weeks old, so I’ve followed her whole career. I’m very proud of her and all she has done for Henley.”

The Coronation Champions Award for volunteers is an official coronation project launched by the Royal Voluntary Service in honour of the King and Queen Consort’s service to the country.

The awards celebrate people across the country who have made an extraordinary contribution to their communities.

They each receive a specially designed Coronation Champions pin and a signed certificate from King Charles III and Queen Camilla as well as an invitation to one of the coronation celebration events.

Laura said she couldn’t wait for the concert, which will take place on the East Lawn at Windsor. She will be taking her partner with her.

The concert will include music, dance and spoken word performances withe acts including Take That, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli and Bryn Terfel.

The concert will be broadcast live on the BBC.

Laura, who is a talented violinist herself, said: “I’m really looking forward to it. They haven’t announced the full line-up yet but it’s going to be really good fun.

“We’ll be sitting in special seats. I’m so excited, it’s ridiculous.”