Bristol volunteer celebrates 90th birthday with medal from the King in New Year Honours list

A Bristol woman who has dedicated her life to the community where she has lived for more than 50 years will mark her 90th birthday in style after being awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours list.

Mary Golledge, who turns 90 on Monday (January 2), is recognised for her life-long voluntary and community work in the Stapleton and Begbrook areas of the city.

For more than 50 years, Mary has been a pillar of the community, giving her time to multiple local and good causes.

She first moved to Stapleton in 1954 after marrying her late-husband Stan and was a founder member of Stapleton and Begbrook Community Association.

Mary will be celebrating the award with family and friends on her 90th birthday at the community centre she helped create more than 40 years ago, which the award recognises.

She said: “It is such a surprise to get this honour from the King. Never in a million years did I think something like this would happen to me. All I have ever tried to do is to help others in whatever way I can, no matter how small.”

Mary has continuously served on the Stapleton and Begbrook Community Association committee since it was founded, previously holding the roles of secretary and treasurer for long periods – as well as serving behind the bar for around 37 years up until the coronavirus national lockdown.

She still volunteers on Sunday evenings, welcoming club members and their guests.

Mary was also a founder of the Duchess Ladies Club which ran for 50 years between 1971 and 2021, giving ladies in the Stapleton and Begbrook community the opportunity to socialise as well as raise thousands of pounds for local people, charities and good causes.

She also volunteered at Headway Bristol at Frenchay Hospital for 26 years between 1990 and 2017, helping those who survived brain injury. In June 2009 she was awarded lifetime membership in recognition of her dedicated voluntary work.

She ran reading groups for Headway users, helping them with their speech and reading skills. And she also would cook hot meals on a Tuesday, as well as teaching users how to cook their own food and support their independent living skills. She even dressed up as ‘Mrs Claus’ prepared Headway’s Christmas dinner.

For over 25 years, Mary has also supported the charity Blythswood Care by sending thousands of shoeboxes filled with Christmas presents to disadvantaged children across Europe.

It is estimated she has sent in the region of 1,500 to 2,000 shoeboxes of gifts over that period to countries such as Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine. This Christmas alone she filled more than 70 shoeboxes.

The full list of people from the Bristol region included in the New Year’s Honours list can be seen here.