Having nominated former Yate Town Councillor, Margaret Bracey for an honour, Yate Town Council was delighted to host an informal presentation at Poole Court last week to celebrate Margaret receiving the British Empire Medal (BEM) as part of His Majesty the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Margaret received her honour, along with other local recipients, at the end of October from Roger Deeks (Vice Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire) at Shire Hall, Gloucestershire, where a formal ceremony on behalf of His Majesty the King was performed.
Last Friday, Margaret was joined by family and friends as well as Roger Deeks (Vice Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire), Councillor Cheryl Kirby (Mayor of Yate) and Councillor Mike Drew (Chair of South Gloucestershire Council) where Margaret’s achievements were celebrated and Margaret was thanked her for her service to The Royal British Legion (Women’s Section) and to the South Gloucestershire community.
Margaret began selling poppies in 1945 at the age of 12 and has received the British Legion Golden Poppy Award for her work selling poppies for over 75 years. She joined the Royal British Legion as a volunteer and worked in welfare with service personnel and with widows needing help – Margaret went on to become County Chair and standard bearer (attending many Royal events as well as supporting local parades for decades).
Margaret became involved in the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) and delivered meals on wheels to Yate and surrounding areas for over 20 years. If this wasn’t enough, Margaret has served as a trustee on local charities, became a volunteer at the Pop Inn Café in Yate as well as served as a Yate Town Councillor between 1991- 2007, and as Town Mayor from 2001-2004.
Margaret modestly said “I am delighted to receive the award, although I am not sure I deserve it – but people say I do.”
Many congratulations from us all to Margaret Bracey BEM.
