A villager who has given more than 50 years devoted service to the community received a royal accolade on Saturday when she received her MBE. A former chairman of South Norfolk Council, and Justice of the Peace, 86-year-old Jocelyn Rawlence worked tirelessly over the decades to help other people and improve the local environment.

A villager who has given more than 50 years devoted service to the community received a royal accolade on Saturday when she received her MBE.

A former chairman of South Norfolk Council, and Justice of the Peace, 86-year-old Jocelyn Rawlence worked tirelessly over the decades to help other people and improve the local environment.

Now wheelchair bound, she had requested a local presentation and it was a proud moment for her family and friends as the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Richard Jewson conducted the ceremony at her Pulham Market home.

He told Mrs Rawlence: “One of the more pleasant duties of the Lord Lieutenant is to present awards on behalf of Her Majesty to people who choose not to go to Buckingham Palace to receive them. It doesn't happen very often and when it does it is a great pleasure to me.

“You have made such a contribution to people for so many years. Over half a century I think the records go back and we thank you for it.”

Mrs Rawlence moved to Pulham Market with her husband, Dr Patrick Rawlence, in 1953, and was soon actively involve in village life, forming a young wives group, starting a local Christian Aid support group, becoming a parish councillor and secretary of the memorial hall committee.

She initiated a campaign to safeguard ancient Tyrells Wood for future generations, and to build much need low cost homes in the village, also playing a key role in providing play equipment, tree planting, and running a youth club among other things.

But her influence was also more widely felt across the county, setting up a drugs counselling service for example, serving as chairman of a hostel for ex-offenders, and doing her utmost to improve the lives of disabled people.

The MBE citation said: “For more than 50 years, Jocelyn has worked tirelessly and selflessly to foster the wellbeing of the people in Pulham Market and East Anglia as a whole.”

Her eldest daughter Hilary Hardy said, as glasses were raised for a celebratory toast: “We are very blessed to have her as a mother. We just feel this honour is very special.”