North Devon women devoted to their communities recognised in New Year Honours

Two North Devon women who have devoted decades to their communities have been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Both Ann Doody from Ilfracombe and Gwen Kingdom from South Molton have received a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2024 honours list.

Another recipient was retired colonel Brian Gorski, who has received an OBE in addition to his MBE for services to museums and the community in Bury, Greater Manchester, but he now lives South Molton.

Ann Doody was awarded her BEM for her tireless voluntary work in many aspects of Ilfracombe life, going back many years.

Mrs Kingdon, aged 80, has been involved with South Molton community life for decades, including the Methodist Church, Town Band, Age Concern and Sunshine Circle.

Ann said: “Although I have known about it for three or four weeks, you can’t say anything and I did not really believe it until I saw it in print today!”

Ann was one of the driving forces for Ilfracombe-in-Bloom and was also involved with the Hotelier Association for many years when she ran a hotel in the town.

She is currently president of Ilfracombe Rotary Club for a second time, after becoming the first female president of the club in 2011 – in fact, she was the first female member of the club when she joined in 2005.

Every year she was a main organiser for the annual StarTrek night walk on Exmoor, which has now sadly finished, but she still organises the volunteer roster for the opening and running of the historic St Nicholas Chapel, the annual High Street charity pop-up shop and many other aspects of club life.

Other roles over the years have included being chair of the Ilfracombe and District Tourism Association as well as organising the annual Ilfracombe Catering Exhibition and many other voluntary activities.

Ann added: “I really enjoy Rotary and when you are on your own, you have a social life as well as being able to do things for your community.”

A statement on behalf of Ilfracombe Rotary said Ann ‘works tirelessly for the community’ and added: “Ann never asks for praise and is always keeping herself out of the limelight, but has now been recognised with a well-deserved honour.”

Gwen Kingdon has had a lifelong involvement with South Molton Methodist Church and continues to be very active in a wide range of church activities such as the Women’s Fellowship and Music Club.

She met her husband Ray when he played in South Molton Town Band and the couple have between them over the past 60 years held almost every post from chairman to treasurer.

Among several community roles, Mrs Kingdon is a trustee of South Molton Age Concern and is also part of the South Molton Sunshine Circle – initially set up for blind or partially sighted people, it has expanded to include senior citizens and organises various trips, holidays and social events, meeting fortnightly at the Methodist Church.

Mrs Kingdon told the Gazette she had been very surprised to receive the award, with the news delivered in a Cabinet Office envelope a few weeks ago.

But she said: “I felt very humbled because a lot of the things I have done I have needed help with and have always had help, so I felt as if the award was on behalf of a lot of other people.

“I might have been head of many different things, but you can’t do it on your own.”