SUSAN Craven from Presteigne has been awarded for over 27 years of volunteer work in the Presteigne area by The Royal Voluntary Service.

She was presented with a medal for 15 years service and a pin to mark another twelve years by Gail Hamer the RVS Powys and Ceredigion Locality manager at a volunteer hub meeting held in Presteigne recently.

Susan who is in her 80s moved to the area in 1985 and soon started with the meals on wheels service in and around Presteigne. Susan's volunteering started in about 1961 though in Birmingham when she was doing meals on wheels through a local church in the Winston Green and Ladywell areas of the city.

The houses she used to deliver meals to are no longer there they have been knocked down and replaced over the years.

Susan said “It was so different in the early days of meals on wheels we used to dish the meals out on plates now all the food comes in sealed containers”.

Gail thanked Susan for all the volunteering she has done over the years and she thanked all the other volunteers at the meeting who include those who deliver meals on wheels in the Presteigne and New Radnor area.

Gail also told everyone a bit more about the RVS, including how it started during the war in 1939 initially to help in the war effort. By the end of the war the Women’s Royal Voluntary service as it was then called had two million volunteers.

In 1980 The now Royal Voluntary Service decided to support the elderly and become a voice for older people, helping them have a choice, be independent, keeping them safe in their homes, stay connected, enjoy life and helping them make a positive contribution.

The RVS are looking for more volunteers in the east Radnorshire area for their befriending and other services that help the elderly. For more information or to become a volunteer telephone 01597824931 or email ceredigionpowyshub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk.