A 'STALWART of the community’ who has dedicated 60 years to her village is among those named in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Elizabeth Ann Price, known to all her friends and family as Ann, was ‘shocked’ to find out she has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to the community in Great Milton, near Oxford.

The 77-year-old was born and bred in the village and since her teenage years has dedicated hundreds of hours to local causes including her role on the village hall committee for six decades.

Miss Price, a former British Telecoms accounts manager for 35 years, found out from a letter in the post.

She said: “It was such a shock when I found out. It is quite daunting to think me, a mere country girl, finding my name in the same paragraph as the Queen and the Prime Minister. I still can’t get my head around it, it is an enormous honour.”

In her own words, the community champion said she must have a ‘Duracell battery’ to have kept going for so long.

Miss Price celebrated 21 years as village hall secretary in February before stepping down, but is still going strong as secretary of Great Milton Cricket Club (after 60 years) and has now clocked up more than 50 years with the village darts league.

She also runs a bingo night every Tuesday for villagers.

She said: “I have lived her all my life and started with most of these things in my teens.

"Those days you were encouraged to take part in the community – the village hall for example: it was something to do.”

She added: “I grew up here and I would never want to leave.

“I just enjoy what I do.”

Miss Price was one of more than 10 people from the county awarded in the Queen's Birthday Honours which are awarded to those who have made a distinguished contribution to their industry or community.

Scottish poet Kate Clanchy, who works with children at Oxford Spires Academy in East Oxford, was handed the title of a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2018 honours list.

The award-winning poet has many hats, but in one of her roles has worked with the East Oxford school for some ten years encouraging students to write poetry.

A book of the schoolchildren’s work compiled by Ms Clanchy and called England: Poems from a School is being released on June 14 .

She said: “I was absolutely surprised and thought the letter must be a tax demand or something.

"But I was extremely pleased, especially for the school and teachers who want to get literacy in schools: I hope this is what it will stand for.”

Being asked why she has devoted 10 years to working with school children in Oxford, she added: “I love the kids, it is always great fun and a great atmosphere.

“We always have a great day, with an exciting mix of people.”

Ms Clanchy was appointed the first Oxford City Poet in 2011 by the city council to help encourage the reading and writing of poetry.