Community

NEW YEAR HONOURS

Local retailers recognised in New Year Honours list

Local retailers have been rewarded for their charitable and community work during the pandemic.

Local retailers across the UK have been recognised in the New Year Honours List for 2022. Tina May, Postmistress for Christian Malford in Wiltshire has been awarded a British Empire Medal for providing services to the community.

Tina and her husband Kevin run the Post Office and village shop plus the five outreach post offices in Bromham, Foxham, Brinkworth, Broad Hinton, and Avebury.

Throughout the pandemic they have provided free home shopping delivery for the elderly and the vulnerable. They also keep an eye out for those in the village who live alone.

The couple managed to keep services running for their six communities even when they they caught Covid, by calling in help from family and friends.

Tina said: “I am just doing what I do naturally. It has been tough for the past two years, but my automatic reaction is to rally round. I want to help people. I care about the communities that I serve.”

Also honoured were Hardip Atwal, who runs Atwal convenience store in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway. He was awarded the British Empire Medal for charitable services.

Dumfries and Galloway-based Debbie Murdoch, who until last year ran Balmaclellan Store, was also awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community. The shop owner helped those worst affected by the pandemic.

In addition, the mother and daughter team of Lynsey Cargill and Helen Ramsey were awarded the British Empire Medal for their services to the community at the Ancrum Pantry, Ancrum, Roxburghshire.

They have supported the community of Ancrum during the pandemic providing an essential supply of food and utilities to the community and establishing a delivery service for residents who were sick or self-isolating.

Lynsey is also a supporter of local charities for many years through her fundraising activities and makes items for local good causes.