Kilve village hero honoured for decades of dedicated service to community

A beloved figure in Kilve has been recognised for his exceptional services to the local community. At 85 years old, Christopher Robin Rutt, known in the village as Robbie, has dedicated over four decades of his life to improving village life through a range of initiatives and activities. His selfless contributions have made a lasting impact on the lives of Kilve residents.

He said: “It’s humbling and very proud to have been awarded the BEM.”

Rutt’s involvement in community affairs began during his tenure as the landlord of the village pub, where he earned a reputation as a dependable helper whenever a neighbour was in need. Even after retiring from his pub duties, Rutt remained committed to serving his community, taking on various voluntary roles within village institutions.

For the past 21 years, Rutt – who lives with his partner David – has been the esteemed editor of Kilve News, the village newsletter. In addition to overseeing the publication, he personally handles its printing and distribution. The newsletter serves as a vital source of current information for the community, promoting local services, trades, and businesses. Rutt’s dedication is particularly evident in the warm welcome extended to newcomers, who receive a welcome pack introducing them to village life, including a copy of the newsletter.

As a parish councillor and the treasurer of the parochial church council for two decades, Rutt has played a significant role in organising village events, particularly fundraising activities aimed at achieving local goals. Notably, he led the organisation of Kilve’s program of events for the late Queen’s Jubilee in 2022 and frequently assumes the role of Master of Ceremonies during village gatherings.

One of Rutt’s remarkable achievements was raising over £200,000 for the restoration of Kilve’s local church, a Grade II listed building. Through a combination of fundraising events, grants, donations from businesses and enterprises, as well as other charitable sources, he successfully spearheaded the renovation project. To sustain the maintenance costs of the restored church, Rutt established the annual Antiques Fair, which has now been running for over 25 years, raising an impressive £4,000 per year.

Rutt’s generosity extends beyond the church, as he has also actively supported the local food bank, Quantock Food Cupboard. During the recent Covid-19 crisis, he redoubled his efforts to help the bank cope with the increased demand, organizing fundraising initiatives to ensure that vulnerable community members received the assistance they desperately needed.