A Newtown woman says she is still pinching herself after receiving a much sought-after invite to the King Charles III's coronation.
The eyes of the world will be on London when the King is crowned at Westminster Abbey on Saturday (May 6) but one Newtown woman will be there seated alongside celebrities, royals and dignitaries from across the world for the event.
Violet McLellan is one of at least 450 British Empire Medallists (BEM) - dubbed "everyday heroes" - that have been invited to the historic occasion as community and charity representatives.
She was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2021 in recognition for her work with adults with learning difficulties.
Violet is Assistant Day Services Manager at Castell Y Dail in Newtown where she has worked for nearly 20 years. She has over 30 years’ service with Powys County Council working in social care.
She said: “I’m really shocked! But I’m looking forward to the service and all the pomp and ceremony of being part of something so big.
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“It’s going to be amazing to be there in person for what will be a little piece of history. And in years to come I can say I was there! Something I can’t wait to tell my baby grandson when he’s older.”
Colleagues and service users at Castell Y Dail have also been getting into the spirit of the occasion, putting up crown decorations and hoping to catch a glimpse of Violet on the television.
Violet added: “It’s wonderful to share the excitement with our service users. They are the reason I had the honour in the first place, so it’s all about them.”
Also among the British Empire Medallists is Boughrood's Des Lally who scaled south Wales’ highest peak - Pen y Fan - 365 times in a year back in 2019 raising £50,000 for Help for Heroes and Cancer Research UK. Both parents battled cancer.
Put to the test by extreme weather conditions including ‘The Beast from the East’ and at the time, the hottest summer on record for 40 years, Des raised approximately £60,000 in 2019 when completing this challenge.
Des said: "I chose these two charities because my dad was in the Forces for 26 years and both my Mum and Dad have been affected by cancer. Both charities are very meaningful to me.
“I took on this challenge as I wanted to do something a bit different and unusual that would raise the profile of these charities. The whole community got behind it, shared my story and donated to charity.
“It’s very humbling to be recognised for my efforts but this is all about the charities and the people and families that these charities represent.”
Welshpool flowers on display for coronation
Violet and Des will no doubt be admiring the seasonal flowers that will adorn Westminster Abbey for the King's coronation with arrangements of home-grown blooms and foliage.
Flowers have been grown by more than 80 members of Flowers from the Farm including Welshpool's Lana Jeeves, of FloraLana Flowers.
Flowers from the Farm is a not-for-profit membership association championing more than 960 independent, artisan growers of local, seasonal British-cut flowers.
Lana said: "I am very excited to finally share the news that my beautiful, seasonal, Welsh-grown flowers from my plot, along with flowers from growers throughout the British Isles, will be Flowers From The Farm's gift to His Majesty King Charles III on Saturday at the Coronation ceremony.
"I can't wait to see the arrangements in place at the Quire and the grave of the unknown warrior at Westminster Abbey."
Royal harpist Alis Huws
Also playing a role during the historic event is Banw Valley-raised Royal Harpist Alis Huws.
Speaking to the Powys County Times about performing at such a momentous occasion, Alis said: “I’m so honoured to have been asked to play a part in what will be a memorable event and day for the whole country.
“I am excited to be playing the Royal Harp at the coronation.”
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