One of the founding figures of Great Notley village was due to be made an MBE today.
Award - Betty Barltrop was due to pick up her MBE today at Buckingham Palace. Picture: NICK OBANK (43164-1)
Betty Barltrop was told in June that she was to be made an MBE and was due to visit Buckingham Palace to receive the honour for her "services to Essex".
She moved into one of the first of five houses in what is now the White Court area of the village in 1976.
Concerned the new village should have a community feel and a clear identity, she served on the parish council and saw the village gradually grow over the years. Her latest campaign is to get a church building built in the village.
She said: "I was in Canada with my brother and two sisters having a holiday when someone phoned to tell me it was in The Times that I was to be made an MBE.
"I was surprised and delighted to receive the award. I must say that although I may have been the person who started a lot of projects in the village, it was the help of everyone else that made them possible."
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Thursday, December 8, 2005
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