A Camberwell woman has received an MBE for her sixteen years of tireless service to the Elmington Estate.
Valerie Fenn, 82, was awarded her medal at Buckingham Palace by Princess Anne on Thursday, November 2.
Over the last two decades, Valerie has organised holiday trips for estate residents, got security doors installed and revitalised the green with flowers and an improved play area.
The Elmington Estate Tenants’ and Residents’ Association (TRA) Chair said “it was an absolutely fantastic day” that she would “never forget”.
Valerie, who is disabled, arrived at the Palace in a dial-a-ride bus which became her private vehicle for the day.
“I was a little bit scared because there were so many police with guns. We had to be searched outside Buckingham Place – but they didn’t really search my bag that much,” Valerie said.
http://southwarknews.co.uk/news/camberwell-woman-voted-southwarks-best-neighbour/
But Valerie quickly got into the swing of things and was soon waving to crowds of tourists who, mistaking her for a member of the royal family, swarmed around her.
“I was waving like the Queen. There were so many tourists taking pictures,” Valerie said.
She was then taken inside the palace where she met Princess Anne in the Throne Room. Valerie said: “What a lovely, lovely, natural, down-to-earth lady she was. She said ‘you’ve done such good work.”
She finished the day with a trip to the Fox on the Hill Wetherspoons in Denmark to celebrate her award with friends and family.
http://southwarknews.co.uk/area/walworth/walworth-post-office-to-reopen-ending-months-of-misery-for-elderly-customers/
In her sixteen years as TRA chair, she has kick-started countless initiatives and projects that have enriched the lives of its residents.
Her hard work has seen residents benefit from a parking permit system, regular ‘Fish & Chip Days’ for the elderly and Easter egg hunts for the kids.
“It was a day I’ll never forget,” she said.