Harriet Alexander completed a Tewkesbury clean sweep of the Vaisey prizes in 2022 when she won the annual Young Persons Award, worth £100. The award goes to the individual, 19 or under who, working or volunteering at a Gloucestershire library, has contributed most to the Vaisey cause: getting more people reading more books. It returned this year after a lapse in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.

Harriet began volunteering at 14 and has been helping with the Summer Reading Challenge ever since. Among her other successes has been the planning, marketing and running of a very successful Saturday Lego Club. She’s also helped to deliver story and craft sessions for the library. Tewkesbury’s team manger, Anne Careless, said Harriet’s presence ‘changes perceptions. Young people can see that we welcome them and will give them opportunities. It helps to promote the message that we are inclusive and aim to cater for all sectors of the community.’ Well done Harriet!