Mobberley stalwart is awarded an MBE (From Knutsford Guardian)

Mobberley stalwart is awarded an MBE

8:50am Sunday 22nd January 2012 in News

A TRUE lynchpin of the Mobberley community has been awarded a major honour by the Queen.

Barbara Cooper, of Faulkners Lane, has been made an MBE in the New Year’s honours list for services to the community in Mobberley.

The 87-year-old has been involved with charities in the village since moving to the area more than 20 years ago after living in Wilmslow.

She has also been a councillor on the former Macclesfield Borough Council and sat on Mobberley Parish Council and Knutsford Town Council.

As well as supporting local charities she produced the village newsletter and was involved with Mobberley Village Society, the Tatton Conservative Association, Mobberley Rose Crown committee and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

“The reason I went into this charity work is that my husband died 20 years ago, and you have to have interests in your life,” she told the Guardian.

“You have to make something of life for yourself, and I do all these things because I love doing it.

“I have made a lot of friends and take a lot of pleasure from it – and it gives something back to the village.

“But I don’t think I’m more deserving than anyone else in Mobberley though.

“I didn’t expect it at all and it was a total surprise, a very nice surprise.”

She said she had enjoyed her time being a councillor, and decided to step down from the then Macclesfield Borough Council at the age of 80 as it was time for the younger generation to give it a go.

A visit to Buckingham Palace awaits for Barbara.

“I shall look forward to picking it up and I can’t imagine what it will be like,” she said.

“It’s very kind for people to have thought of me but it was totally unexpected.”

Tatton MP George Osborne congratulated Barbara on her award.

“I am delighted that Barbara has been recognised with this honour,” he said.

“She has worked tremendously hard for the village and people of Mobberley for many years, and it is right that her commitment is appreciated in this way.”

l Congratulate Barbara on our website at knutsfordguardian.

co.uk.