A WILLAND woman has been named alongside Barbara Windsor and AP McCoy in the New Year’s Honours list for her outstanding services to the Cullompton community.

Glenda Frost, 80, who lives on Halberton Road, worked as a district nurse for more than 30 years, and has continued to help people in the community since her retirement in 1985.

She said: “I had a letter from London to say that I was to receive it for nursing and other services to the community.

“I was rather shocked. I was the last person I would have thought would have a British Empire Medal.”

Glenda was in the junior Red Cross before she started working at Tiverton hospital in 1950.

After three years there, she went to Bristol to complete four years of training at Bristol Royal Infirmary before returning to work in Mid Devon.

The honours announcement said: “As a district nurse she put everything into her work, always giving that extra bit more.

“In her retirement she continues to work for the community by continuing to visit some of her patients who are most in need of help.

“She regularly calls on these people to ensure that they have all they need.

“She also takes them to hospital appointments, collects their pension, helps with their housework and does any shopping that they require.”

Glenda is married and had two sons, one of which passed away, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

She also organises a number of fetes and fairs to raise money for many good causes.

These include two large fetes that she hosts from her garden every year, and have raised substantial funds for two charities, the Children’s Hospice and the Guide Dogs for the Blind.

She raised around £7,000 for the Children’s Hospice before a lack of help meant she had to stop.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind event, which was started because Glenda and her husband used to have guide dogs, is still running and has raised hundreds of pounds for the charity.

As well as all of this, Glenda is also a member of the local GP practice patient group where her years of experience as a district nurse mean that her advice and knowledge of the area is invaluable.

During the week she is also part of the local Luncheon Club where she helps to provide a hot meal to those who otherwise might not have one.

In total, 1,196 people have been named in the New Year’s Honours list, with 76% of those awards being given out for services to the community.

In other New Year’s announcements, Barbara Windsor is being given a damehood for her services to charity and to entertainment, actress Sian Phillips is in line for a damehood, and jockey AP McCoy is to receive a knighthood.