A WEST Somerset woman has been honoured by King Charles for more than 30 years of voluntary work to support her tiny village community.

Kathy Prideaux has been awarded the British Empire Medial (BEM) in the New Year Honours List for ‘services to the community’ in Allerford.

She moved to the village in the 1980s and later became involved in supporting local activities and institutions – and has carried on doing so ever since.

More than 1,200 recipients across the UK have been recognised in this year’s honours list for their exceptional achievements, with a focus on those who have given with generosity to others in need.

Individuals have been recognised for being dedicated community champions, role models in sport, pioneers in the arts, passionate health workers, and supporters of young people.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was committed to ensuring honours were awarded to people across the whole of the UK, so the system captured and celebrated ‘the fantastic contribution of people throughout the country’.

Mr Sunak said: “The New Year Honours List recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion.

“To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all.”

Ms Prideaux has been at the heart of Allerford activities, helping to raise thousands of pounds with fund-raising events such as fetes, flower shows, and cream teas.

She has supported Allerford's community hall in roles such as cook, cleaner, and treasurer, served as a village flood warden and as a parish councillor and was chairman of the parish council for several years.

Ms Prideaux, who ran bed and breakfast accommodation until about five years ago, told the Free Press: “It is absolutely amazing.

“I am pleased and grateful to receive this honour but it is not only me who has done all this work for the community, I am part of a team of people.

“It is a team that has been changing over the years as we see people moving away and finishing for different reasons, but we have always had a wonderful group who have kept things going and improved the whole community enormously.

“Allerford is a tiny, tiny place, but it is spectacular what goes on here.”

Ms Prideaux said she had become involved in community activities because she believed it was the right thing to do, but she recognised not everybody might have the energy and time to do so.

And she recognised that it was becoming harder than ever to encourage people to volunteer, particularly since the Covid pandemic.

Ms Prideaux said: “We have been so lucky in Allerford with our volunteers but it is becoming more difficult to get people involved in things.”

The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq, will formally present Ms Prideaux with her BEM at a date to be arranged and she will also be invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party later in 2024.

More information about honours and how to nominate people for an award can be found here.