This afternoon we are off to watch my sister receiving her British Empire Medal.
Later in the year she will enjoy the surroundings of Buckingham Palace at the " official" tea party event, but today is the day her family can watch her " getting the medal pinned" so to speak....I will post photos of the event later this evening!
This is a photo of the village Welfare committee circa mid 1950s three of the committee are still with us. Bryn Davis ( I am not quite sure which one he is..apologies to Bryn for that) Auntie Gladys of course can be smiling her chirpy smile far left on the bottom row and second from the left on the top row is Islwyn Thomas ( no not the village elder Islwyn but the "older village elder" Islwyn ) I saw Older Village Elder Islwyn this morning, just before he drove out of the village for his lunch. He has just celebrated his 94 th birthday and was looking very chipper.
I told him we were going to Soughton Hall to see Ann get her medal
He reminded me that a million years ago one of the village ladies received a British Empire Medal.
The recipient was the formidable Miss B A Jones, the tough- as- nails village school mistress, charity worker, church organist and all round paragon of virtue. To the villagers she was known as Bessie " Bryn Teg" and on the Welfare Committee photo she is third from the left on the bottom row.the one with the Nazi gloves and the thin lips.......not a lady to be trifled with.
I will post some more informal photos of our own British Empire Medal winner a little later.
Later in the year she will enjoy the surroundings of Buckingham Palace at the " official" tea party event, but today is the day her family can watch her " getting the medal pinned" so to speak....I will post photos of the event later this evening!
This is a photo of the village Welfare committee circa mid 1950s three of the committee are still with us. Bryn Davis ( I am not quite sure which one he is..apologies to Bryn for that) Auntie Gladys of course can be smiling her chirpy smile far left on the bottom row and second from the left on the top row is Islwyn Thomas ( no not the village elder Islwyn but the "older village elder" Islwyn ) I saw Older Village Elder Islwyn this morning, just before he drove out of the village for his lunch. He has just celebrated his 94 th birthday and was looking very chipper.
I told him we were going to Soughton Hall to see Ann get her medal
He reminded me that a million years ago one of the village ladies received a British Empire Medal.
The recipient was the formidable Miss B A Jones, the tough- as- nails village school mistress, charity worker, church organist and all round paragon of virtue. To the villagers she was known as Bessie " Bryn Teg" and on the Welfare Committee photo she is third from the left on the bottom row.the one with the Nazi gloves and the thin lips.......not a lady to be trifled with.
I will post some more informal photos of our own British Empire Medal winner a little later.
I love how Auntie Gladys seems to be the warmest, genuine, least uptight lady in the photograph! Here we have something called the Order of Canada where there is a special ceremony. (Order of Merit is one higher and comes from the British Monarchy). What wonderful things has your sister done to earn this? Will you be decked out in your finest? -Jenn
ReplyDeleteHjenn , i shall be wearing a tie
Deleteour country's highest military award is the congressional medal of honor; for civilians, it's the presidential medal of freedom.
ReplyDeletecan't wait to see the pix; and a bit of background as to why this honor is being bestowed on your sister.
It does look like no one told them to say cheese. Great picture though. Congrats to your sister.
ReplyDeleteGentleman in the top row third from right looks as though he's smiling for all of them (or perhaps Auntie Glad told him a joke before the line up)
DeleteIt was a very formal occasion and in those days I don't think anyone was allowed to smile. They kept miserable, straight, faces to show the seriousness of it all.
DeleteHow lovely for you all!
ReplyDeleteOoh! I want to see those pictures! (notice no jokes about old queens...). X
ReplyDeleteWill there be any aged Queens there today? (Sorry, it doe not take much prompting to bring that out!) I hope you have a wonderful day, and congratulations to your sister.
ReplyDeleteI just covered that one right above you, Travel...
DeleteSome achievement. Congratulations to your sister. x
ReplyDeleteSome achievement. Congratulations to your sister. x
ReplyDeleteI don't even know what to say. I'm so impressed! How civilized your world seems!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your sister....a very proud achievement! Auntie Glad can probably attribute her age to always being happy!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a lovely afternoon with your sister. x
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean you'll have to curtsey to your sister from now on?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your sister . . .
ReplyDeleteWhat has your sister done to earn her medal? Is it like a girl scout thing or is she a titan of industry?
ReplyDeleteBig congrats to your sister!
ReplyDeleteApologies for leaving Bryn out originally, i ws sure he was one of the committee but couldnt quite place which one he was....
ReplyDeleteApologies again x
So happy for your Sister and a special day for your family. I remember you writing about this with a photo of your sister I think.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the photos.
cheers, parsnip
Congratulations to your sister! How proud you must be. I'll be back to look for pictures this evening.
ReplyDeleteBtw, is that Margaret Thatcher on the far right of the front row? haha
How nice! Yes, do post photos, please.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your sister.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your sister!
ReplyDeleteMiss B.A. Jones certainly knew the proper way to cross the ankles. So exciting about your sister. It would have been great if she could have gotten hold of Bessie's outfit.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your sister.
ReplyDeleteIs that Mrs Thatcher, front row right?
ReplyDeleteLol........i know who you mean her name i think was florrie
Delete