New Tredegar resident Joyce Jones has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to the community.
A mother of four, a wife of 59 years and a friend to many, Joyce Jones aged 79, is widely known in her local community for her work with the New Tredegar Communities’ Partnership.
A former youth worker, newspaper columnist and Committee Clerk for Rhymney Valley District Council, Joyce has always been an active member of her community. The BEM honour recognises her as being at the forefront of the regeneration of New Tredegar and was announced as part of the New Year’s Honours list.
Formal proceedings saw Her Majesty The Queen’s representative for the County of Gwent, The Lord-Lieutenant, Mr. Simon Boyle, present the medal in the ceremony room of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Penallta House headquarters, in the presence of the Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council Cllr David Carter.
Lord-Lieutenant Mr. Simon Boyle said: “I am delighted to have been able to present this honour to Joyce on behalf of HM The Queen. I would like to extend my congratulations to Joyce for all of the tremendous work she has accomplished with the New Tredegar Communities’ Partnership.”
Joyce said: “Whilst I feel so honoured, I am a little embarrassed about being afforded this honour for my services to the partnership. I have enjoyed every second of the regeneration process. It has given me great pleasure to see developments and projects come to fruition.”
Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr. David Carter, added: “New Tredegar has seen some major developments which include a new state-of-the-art primary school, a modern resource centre and library, a new police station, a business park, environmental improvements and improved pedestrian and cycling routes. Joyce has played a vital role in the completion of these projects and has demonstrated what passion and vision can achieve.”