MITCHELDEAN stalwart Pam Martin has been presented with the British Empire Medal for her services to the village.

Pam had requested that the presentation, by Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Dame Janet Trotter, take place at St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Mitcheldean.

Pam, of Green Bottom near Littledean, was recognised in the New Year’s Honours.

She was recognised for her services to Mitcheldean, where she lived for 14 years, including forming a committee to raise £200,000 for repairs to the church spire and acting as governor to Mitcheldean Endowed Primary School. She has also been a longstanding member of the parochial church council and, with others, she set up a monthly lunch club in Mitcheldean to bring people together as well as a weekly coffee and chat session and child-friendly worship in school assemblies.

Pam’s husband, Dr Roger Martin, told the Review: “Pam was nominated by our neighbour Maureen Cross, who went to Buckingham Palace with her in May. That was seconded by other members of the community including Father David Gill and headmistress of Mitcheldean Endowed Primary School, Julia Dowding. Pam feels extremely honoured and thankful and found the service very emotional. It was attended by up to 150 family, friends and community members. Pam has felt very much that this award belonged to the whole community and not just to her alone.”

Roger’s mother, Joan Martin, who now lives with the couple, was awarded an OBE in 1987 for services to Essex.

Roger added: “My mother was chair of two health authorities in Essex and chair of Basildon and Marlow councils as well as a county councillor. She is now an alderman of Essex County Council.”