Exmouth woman awarded MBE for political and community services

An Exmouth woman who served as a councillor for almost forty years has been awarded an MBE in The Queen's New Year's Honours list for political and community services.

Jill Elson served as a councillor for 36 years and was recently named an Honorary Alderman by East Devon District Council.

Exmouth Nub News contacted Jill to find out more about her work in the community and what the MBE means to her.

"I feel very honoured to receive this award for helping and working with others, to help, advise and guide many local people in the community especially those with difficulties," said Jill.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my work and time as an elected Member of East Devon District Council for 36 years, representing local people.

"I worked with other colleagues to achieve having an indoor competition pool in Exmouth, making sure East Devon kept its housing stock, building 'affordable homes', working with many housing associations to provide as many homes as possible for local people with the excellent officers of EDDC and helping people who were homeless or about to become homeless or their homes were not suitable or uninhabitable.

"I am proud of creating the Exmouth and District Community Transport Group charity in 1990 to enable people who are unable to access public transport because of a mobility problem or distance to nearest bus stop with wheelchair accessible vehicles.

"People are picked up at home and returned there, for them, to be able to do their own shopping, go to lunch with others, trips, medical appointments, family events etc. so preventing social isolation and loneliness.

"I joined the Governors of Exmouth Community College in 1995 and have been Chairman of Finance, Chairman and currently Chairman of Resources.

"This large college provides education for our local young people to reach their individual potential and are the future, for which we must take into account, by helping them to the best of our ability."

If you would like to find out more about Jill and her work in the community visit her website by clicking the red button below.