‘It was a brilliant surprise’

JOAN McAuley has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) after working with small children at the Peter Pan Playgroup in Trillick for 27 years.

Mrs McAuley only found out she would be receiving her honour on New Year’s Eve the same time has the public did, via email. She said that it was a complete ‘surprise’.

Her BEM is for services to pre-school education.

She said, “It was a lovely way to round out the year to find out I got the honour. It was a complete surprise as I didn’t even know I had been nominated for it!

“It was the previous head of the committee of the playgroup who put my name forward and I did not even realise they had done it.

“I have been working for 27 years with kids between the ages of three and four. I love my job. I wouldn’t have been there for so long if I didn’t love it.”

Joan added, “I would just like to thank the people who put my name forward and to thank all the children and people I have worked with during my time at the playgroup. It is a real honour and a privilege to receive the BEM.”