Medal for Mary
A former Shropshire woman says she was thrilled to receive a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours List.
Mary Toward, 72 was born Mary Humphreys in Maesbrook and lived in the Oswestry area until marrying a Junior Leader soldier from Park Hall Army Camp.
She now lives outside Newcastle-on-Tyne where she has spend 35 years in politics both volunteering and working for the Conservative part.
Mrs Toward was the Conservative agent for Martin Callanan, now Lord Callanan, an MEP for 15 years and leader of the party in Europe. Her job took her to Luxembourg, Brussels and Strasbourg.
She has also been agent for other Conservative hopefuls in elections in the north east including Wendy Morton who went on to become a Midlands MP.
"As a Conservative agent in this part of the world you do get a lot of flack, particularly on the doorstep when campaigning," she said.
"I was thrilled to be given the award and received a very nice letter from Teresa May, who is very loyal to this area having stood in north west Durham in 1992."
