15022/1GAZETTE & HERALD: VILLAGE stalwart Liz Porter is practising her curtsey after being named in the Queen's New Year's Honours List at the ripe old age of 90.

Mrs Porter was awarded the MBE in recognition of decades of service to the community of Box, her home since 1968.

"It's amazing I just can't get over it," said a delighted Mrs Porter.

She found out about the award in November, but has had to keep it a secret ever since.

"I wasn't allowed to say a word to anybody until my son read out the letter in front of the family when we were all together at Christmas," she said. "They were all very proud of me of course."

As well as writing the village diary for 30 years, Mrs Porter has founded countless clubs and groups and been a member of numerous others.

"There are so many things, I can't remember them all," she laughed.

"When I first started the village diary I did 12 handwritten copies, now I trot round the village with 40 each month.

"I'm the leader of Box Moonrakers, a senior citizens club, and was an organist at St Christopher's Church for many years, although I've retired from that now.

"I also started a group of seven or eight ladies and one gent called The Elizabethans, and we go round to rest and retirement homes to entertain people.

"I've been doing that for 10 years next year. We get quite a lot of bookings for that. The gent is our district councillor Tudor Jones. I'm Liz and he's Tudor so we decided to call ourselves The Elizabethans.

"It all keeps me going. I've got friends who sit around all day but I couldn't do that although I sit around a lot more than I used to.

"I'm 91 next month but I enjoy good health, apart from a wonky heart and two wonky knees."

Mrs Porter lost her husband, Teddy Porter, 20 years ago and has lived alone at Vine Court in Box ever since.

She has two children, Roger, who lives in Buckinghamshire, and Annette, who lives in Colerne, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

"We were all together at my son's house when he told everyone the news," she said. "It was wonderful. I'd forgotten about it over Christmas and I really didn't believe it until I saw it in print.

"I've had a fantastic year. In January I had a 90th birthday party, in May I went to France, I've been on the London Eye and up in a helicopter at Box church fete and now this to top it off. I'm very fortunate.

"I'm rather looking forward to going to Buckingham Palace to collect it. I think it'll be within five months, so they tell me I'll have to start practising my curtsey."