Four Powys stalwarts who were honoured with a British Empire Medal in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours have received their medals.

The medals were presented to Doris Maureen Bowen, Olwen Bowen, Christopher Fairhurst and Peter Carter Jones by HM Lord Lieutenant of Powys, Shan Legge-Bourke.

Peter Carter Jones from Abercrave near Ystradgynlais, was presented with his medal for services to the establishment of the Welsh National First World War Memorial in Flanders, Belgium.

A retired police office, Peter worked tirelessly to set up a charity to raise £100,000 to fund a memorial to those of Welsh descent in Flanders, Belgium. A red bronze dragon on cromlech of Welsh stones now stands in the memorial garden in Langemark, which was unveiled by the First Minister of Wales and Minister President of Flanders in August 2014. Peter resigned as Harbourmaster at Porth Clais to follow this project through.

Christopher Fairhurst received his medal for services to the community in Garth, Llangammarch Wells.

Having been at the heart of the community for 40 years, Christopher negotiated to buy toilets for the village hall and also applied for funding to renovate the hall. During the eight month building works, he was there almost every day clearing up, painting and cleaning. Deeply committed to the people in the community, he calls bingo and has been church warden at Llanleonfel Church for 37 years, where he tends to the graveyard but he also played a key role in raising funds and overseeing the re-slating of church roof.

Doris Maureen Bowen was honoured for services to the community of Beulah. A very much loved and respected member of the community, Doris has been the church organist at Eglwys Oen Duw for over 70 years, walking three quarters of a mile in all weathers to play at Sunday services, weddings, funerals and festivals. Mrs. Bowen has also been Honorary Secretary of the Reading Room Committee, Treasurer to the Abergwesyn Country Women’s Club and Secretary to the Thursday Club.

Olwen Bowen was presented with her medal for services to the community of Llanbister, which she has done for 70 years. Over the last 60 years, she has raised money for Cancer Research UK, Macmillan and the Bracken Trust. She also knits for a Romanian children’s charity and collects for a trust set up for a local young person who died of cancer.

Olwen has served on the Llanbister Women’s Institute for 62 years, cooks for the WI market in Knighton and has also served on the Llanbister Show and Sports Committee for over 40 years. She has been involved with Cantal YFC for many years, is a member of the Llanbister Parochial Church Council and for 69 years has played organ in local churches.