Community figures honoured at Buckingham Palace garden parties

Melksham community figures have attended Buckingham Palace garden parties in recognition of their work.

Volunteers Jeanette and Mike Nash, and business coach and King’s Trust mentor Neil Stewart, were invited to separate events hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla in May.

Jeanette and Mike Nash, who run the Singin’ Group, attended on Tuesday 12th May after receiving a British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours List last year for services to the Melksham community.

Over the past 30 years, they have supported numerous local groups and raised thousands of pounds for charities.

“It was a really good and colourful afternoon,” said Jeanette. “We took our two sons because we were both allowed to invite somebody.

“We would particularly like to thank everyone in the Singin’ Group who were instrumental in arranging these awards. I would just like to name a few, starting with Norman Drake, who spent a lot of time, energy and phone calls organising everything, aided and abetted by Jim Law, Christine Pearce and Margaret Crook. To anyone else who helped or was involved in any way, please accept our apologies and many, many thanks from both of us. We are very honoured.”

Neil Stewart attended a garden party on 14th May marking the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust, which supports young people into work and business.

A former British Army engineer, he is a local business mentor and helps others grow their business and supports people to invest in property. He has been a mentor with the King’s Trust for 12 years.

“It was really lovely to be recognised,” he said. “I have been with them for 12 years and I have done various things with them, including helping interview staff when they were recruiting. It has been really nice for them just to say thank you.”