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BEM presentation – Mrs Edwards
Published: 08/04/2014
The Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd has presented a British Empire Medal to a local
lady who has been involved in voluntary work for over 20 years.
Retired teacher Mrs Joan Edwards from Corwen received her BEM in a ceremony
last week for voluntary and charitable services as a member of the WRVS and as
the leader of Clwb y Berwyn since her retirement in 1995.
The club, that was originally an over 60s organisation was renamed and now has
members of a range of ages from 55 to over 90 years.
Mrs Edwards has given unlimited time and energy to the running of the club
since taking up the reins and taken a fortnightly meeting for tea and a chat
for the members to a club that offers a diverse range of activities. There are
a variety of speakers, demonstrations of all sorts, educational talks from
branches of different services, craft sessions, quiz events, exercise and easy
dance classes.
Her work with the club has trebled the membership and she has attracted members
from surrounding villages so much so that membership has had to be curtailed
due to the capacity of the meeting venue, the Corwen Healthy Living Centre, and
there is a waiting list of people wanting to join.
As a trustee of the South Denbighshire Community Partnership she has provided
invaluable advice directed in maintaining the Healthy Living Centre and spent
much time researching grants to keep the centre and club in a healthy financial
position.
Securing a £5,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund in 2012 enabled the members
to visit places of historical interest and she has been successful in accessing
external funding for the club from a variety of sources.
Photo caption: The High Sheriff of Clwyd, Celia Jenkins, Mrs Joan Edwards BEM
and Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd Harry Fetherstonhaugh.