Buxton pensioner awarded BEM by the Queen for charity work

A Buxton pensioner who has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his charity work says ‘I was quite taken aback’.
By Ben McVay
Published 15th Oct 2020, 07:00 BST
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Roy Pickles BEM, 79, received the title in the Queen’s Birthday Honours at the weekend.

He was nominated for his tireless work as vice chairman of Buxton’s Hall Bank Trust - who support elderly people across the High Peak.

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Grandfather-of-two Roy described his amazement when he received a phone call from a Government official who said ‘I’m ringing on behalf of the Queen’.

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Roy Pickles with Roddie MacLean, right, also of Hall Bank Trust, handing over a £6,000 cheque to Rachael Mitchell, the befriending co-ordinator and chief executive Gill Geddes at the official launch of Connex Community SupportRoy Pickles with Roddie MacLean, right, also of Hall Bank Trust, handing over a £6,000 cheque to Rachael Mitchell, the befriending co-ordinator and chief executive Gill Geddes at the official launch of Connex Community Support
Roy Pickles with Roddie MacLean, right, also of Hall Bank Trust, handing over a £6,000 cheque to Rachael Mitchell, the befriending co-ordinator and chief executive Gill Geddes at the official launch of Connex Community Support

He said: “I was quite shocked but felt honoured and would like to think I can still help a lot of other people.”

Roy, a former local government officer, has volunteered at Buxton Opera House for over 40 years - where taking tickets and serving ice cream have been some of his duties.

Over the years he has helped countless numbers of lonely elderly people with Hall Bank Trust by, for example, funding Christmas dinners and weekly lunch clubs.

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He said: “Our remit has always been to encourage elderly people to get out to things - there are lots of lonely people out there.”

Roy presenting a cheque to Trevor Johnson, chairman of the RNA Branch, in 2017Roy presenting a cheque to Trevor Johnson, chairman of the RNA Branch, in 2017
Roy presenting a cheque to Trevor Johnson, chairman of the RNA Branch, in 2017

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One of his proudest achievements was funding Buxton and High Peak Royal Naval Association’s 30th anniversary celebration.

Speaking about the association - now sadly decommissioned - Roy added: “I was proud to be able to do that.”

However Hall Bank Trust also support other charities and Roy told how last year they donated £6,000 to volunteer organisation Connex Community Support.

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He said: “We’d heard they couldn’t afford to pay one of their befrienders any more and our donation helped keep someone in employment for a year.”

Father-of-two Roy told how Hall Bank Trust started ‘as a place for elderly people to go for a tea and a coffee’.

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However more than a decade ago they sold a building on Hall Bank - using the proceeds of the sale to support more people in the borough.

As well as his work at Hall Bank Trust Roy also served last year as president of Buxton Probus Club as well as being a former member of Buxton Round Table and Buxton 41 Club.

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Related topics:BuxtonQueenHigh Peak