Perth and Kinross residents were this month honoured at an investiture ceremony in the Civic Hall at 2 High Street.
Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross Stephen Leckie presented the awards with support from Deputy Lieutenants Alex Cairncross and Lieutenant Colonel Andy Middlemiss BEM, who officiated at the ceremony.
Perth and Kinross Provost Xander McDade hosted a civic reception for the recipients after the ceremony.
Lord-Lieutenant Mr Leckie said: “As His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross it was a great privilege to present the honours to such deserving individuals from within our county.
“The bravery, dedication and desire to help others demonstrated by these wonderful people is an inspiration to us all.”
The Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll were presented to Margaret Roy for Captain JR Moffat, Royal Artillery, who died of his wounds in 1954, sustained during the Malayan Emergency.
This award was created in 2009 to provide national recognition for the families of Armed Forces personnel who have died on operations or as a result of an act of terrorism.
Glenys Andrews was presented with the British Empire Medal for services to the Arts in Perthshire.
The Kinross resident recently stood down as president of Perthshire Open Studios.
An established artist, she was invited to join the group in 2011 and became president the following year.
The nomination details from the Cabinet Office described her as “a civic stalwart of the arts scene.”
Perthshire Open Studios is an annual event involving more than 200 artists and makers across Perth and Kinross and other neighbouring areas.
Each year, 17,000 visitors attend local arts venues because of the event.
It was noted that she has delivered a “flawless” and growing open studios event each year which has brought custom to artists across Perth and Kinross and brought delight to all those who have been enabled to see where and how real art is made.
The BEM recognises how, in an unpaid capacity, Glenys brought “her organisational capabilities, technology skills, tact and diplomacy” to the role of president.
Bankfoot resident Joan Blue, meanwhile, was also presented with the BEM, for services to music.
She was described by the Crown as “one of the finest Scottish fiddle pianists in recent memory” and was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her decades of service to education and music in Perthshire.
Joan had her first piano lesson at the age of 10 and has since then embraced her talent and used it generously to support education, charities and the local and wider community.
She is still performing to this day, entertaining and raising funds for community charities. Numerous young people have been tutored by her and she has been a major influence in the lives of many of those pupils, some who have gone on to enjoy a career in music.
She continues to perform voluntarily for many charity events including for the National Trust for Scotland, Forgandenny Church and the Music in Hospitals and Care charity.
Every year she organises concerts and performs at community events such as St Andrew’s Day parties and Burns Suppers.
Dueting with Stella Wilkie, Joan has released several CDs, most recently raising over £4000 for Alzheimer Scotland, just one example of the significant financial impact which Joan has made during decades of fundraising.
Also honoured, Perform in Perth received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a local voluntary group can receive. They are only the fourth group ever in Perth and Kinross to be awarded a QAVS.
The group, which was founded in 1921 and is celebrating its centenary year, organises a huge programme involving as many as 2800 performers over 12 days every year.
And not only do they promote the festival to their pupils, but they make sure instruments are delivered to venues and also help run the competition.
Those honoured include selectors, stewards, programme sellers, fundraisers and those who promote the event. One of them is minutes secretary Wilma Malcolm, who has been volunteering for Perform in Perth for over 60 years.
Many of the volunteers are music teachers from Perth and Kinross Instrumental Music Service.
When the pandemic struck, they were not content with a gradual adaptation to a fast-moving situation but through determination, proactive and reactive leadership, as well as sheer will-power, they fundamentally transformed their modus operandi, in spite of lockdown, and delivered a fantastic virtual festival, enjoyed by thousands.
Provost Xander McDade said: “These honours recognise the exceptional people and groups in our communities. Whether that is the sacrifices of our Armed Forces personnel or the efforts of volunteers, these awards express our deep gratitude.”
