Grandmother Joan Perkin has been appointed BEM for voluntary service to the community in Paddington Green.
The 88-year-old has dedicated most of her life to the voluntary service, particularly in the fields of education and equality. Even now she is a governor of St Saviour’s Primary School, in Shirland Road, and an active member of St Mary’s Church, where she has been a member of the Parochial Church Council, using her wide experience and knowledge of social deprivation and need.
She began her voluntary work during the Second World War, when between 1943-45, she volunteered in Manchester at the Family Service Unit and set up a second-hand clothes shop to raise funds for home for unmarried mothers.
More voluntary work would follow and she is also a Justice of the Peace on the Lancaster Bench.
Also an author, she wrote a successful book, Women and Marriage in 19th century England, and produced four books on women’s education and women’s history.
She said: “I’m very pleased, this was not something I was particularly expecting. I am not able to do as much as I used to and I wish I could, but I’m still involved with the school and church.
“I’m grateful to receive this, and very humbled.”
