King’s New Year Honours: Heart of Hatfield Heath Margaret Lines awarded British Empire Medal
Modest Margaret Lines’ declaration that she “just sort of organises things” is counter to her being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s New Year Honours.
The 84-year-old grandmother has been the heartbeat of Hatfield Heath since she arrived with her family in 1966.
She ran the not-for-profit Hatfield Heath village playgroup for almost 30 years, helping to nurture around 1,000 children whilst providing opportunities for young mums to meet socially and build community.
Besides her work in her home village, she was chair of the Harlow Playhouse supporters group and has been a supporter of the Razed Roof drama group at the theatre for 16 years; the performing arts group offers opportunities to young people and those with severe learning difficulties and disabilities.
Margaret’s involvement with the Harlow theatre stemmed from late husband Peter’s voluntary work as a lighting technician. Peter, a University of Hertfordshire professor in electrical and electronic engineering for 30 years, died in 2013.
She is also a trustee of the Alexia Wilson Trust, which makes grants to individuals and families to alleviate poverty, help hardship cases and support families in the Great Dunmow area.
Her reaction to being awarded the BEM was indicative of her selfless determination to make a difference.
“It’s incredible, isn’t it? I just sort of organise things – it’s not me, it’s everybody who’s supported me,” said Margaret. “It’s an award for family, friends and acquaintances.”
Although a recent setback from a broken hip stalled her work, the mother of two sons and grandmother of seven is determined to “keep going as long as I can”.
She continues to fundraise for St Clare Hospice with annual coffee mornings and is still ushering at Harlow Playhouse.
She took time out to speak to the Indie on Monday before contemplating opening the village hall twice on New Year’s Eve for events.
Her years of work with children in the village is remembered to this day. “There are so many men who [when they meet me] call me Mrs Lines!” she said.