CUDDINGTON Parish Council chairman Pat Chrimes has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours List 2020.

The honour has been given to Pat, from Sandiway, for services to the Royal British Legion Women’s Section in recognition of her contribution since 1976, when she started selling poppies.

On receiving the award notice in June, Pat said: “I recognised due to the constraints of the pandemic that it would be extremely challenging for me to keep this information confidential for a longer period of time than usual.

“However I am overwhelmed to be able to let my family and friends in on this wonderful news.

“I only wish my husband Les, who supported me throughout my journey with the Women’s Section, was here beside me to join in the celebrations.”

A spokesman for Cuddington Parish Council said: “We offer Pat our warmest congratulations on her achievement.”

Pat has served as a school governor for Cuddington Primary School from 2003 to 2019 and has been an elected parish councillor in the Sandiway Ward for 17 years, currently serving as chairman.

She is mother to Gary and Sharron and has five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Pat was instrumental in the creation of Boundary Lane Green play area and more recently the creation of the war memorial garden at Norley Road/Weaverham Road crossroads.

Pat joined the Sandiway and Cuddington Royal British Legion’s Women’s Section in August 1979, and went on to become Poppy Organiser for Sandiway and Cuddington branch between 1985 - 1996.

Pat’s roles in the Women’s Section at branch level have been Women’s Section Branch Secretary, Chairman, Standard Bearer, and she was appointed President in 2017.

Pat moved up to County level in 1990 again holding appointments of Vice Chairman, County Standard Bearer, Conference Committee Chairman, Chairman, and was appointed President in 2015.

In 2007 Pat was elected onto the Central Committee and served as the National Chairman of the Women’s Section from 2017 to January 2020.

During this time Pat also served as a Women’s section representative for the Local RBL Branch Welfare Committee and was also a National Case Worker for 17 years.

Meanwhile, a village stalwart has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to her community.

Jenny Jones has lived in Little Leigh for 46 years, and has organised a host of clubs and events for the community in that time, including the village's youth club for the past 40 years.

The Little Leigh parish councillor has now been recognised for her efforts with a British Empire Medal – but she says the award is something for the whole village to share.

"I love village life and I wanted to bring the village together," Jenny told the Guardian.

"I don't want this to be seen just as my award, it is something for the community to share. 

"I couldn't have done anything without the support of so many people. 

"You can have all the ideas in the world but without the support of others you can't do anything."