FORMER Bromsgrove District council chairman and civic head Janice Boswell had a delightful day at Buckingham Palace when she went down to London to be presented with her MBE.
The much-loved community champion, who was awarded the accolade in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours List, had a day to remember. She received her award ‘for voluntary service and services to the Bromsgrove community’.
Janice and her family travelled down in a Daimler supplied by Gaunts of Blackheath.
During the memorable day Janice trod the same steps as HM The Queen at the side of the palace and met and spoke to Prince William who positioned her medal on her lapel.
“I walked in and curtsyed to the Prince and I asked him how his wife and children were while he gave me the award.
“When I left the room I shook hands with some of the others who were also there to receive awards.”
Afterwards, as she sat with the other award winners, Janice noticed Billy Connolly was sat in front of her as he had received his Knighthood that day.
“I tapped him on the shoulder and spoke to him, he was a really nice guy.
“I asked him if he had odd socks on as I’d read in a magazine he likes to wear them but, he said, he had a matching ones on that day.”
The palace visit came after a difficult few months for Janice who has been recovering from a stroke which affected her spine and double hip replacement surgery.
Reflecting on her day, Janice said: “Buckingham Palace was beautiful.
“I had been there previously for a garden party but this time I visited a lot of rooms I had not seen before.
“It really was a wonderful day and I would like to thank whoever it was who nominated me and wrote down everything I had achieved in my life.”
After being elected in 2000, the 74-year-old spent 15 years on Bromsgrove District Council, representing the Furlongs ward.
She was also the authority’s Civic Head when she became famous for her ‘three cheers’ when attending official openings, launches or celebrations.
Janice also helped launch the choir at Bromsgrove’s Life After Stroke Centre and started the civic head’s tea dance which still takes place each month at the Parkside Suite.
Over the years she has helped numerous charities, raising thousands of pounds. Among them have been The Edward’s Trust, The Primrose Hospice and The Stroke Association which she had as her chosen causes in her year as Bromsgrove Civic Head.
Away from politics, Janice has always given her time freely and has volunteered for community causes for 67 years.
After standing down from Bromsgrove District Council she became a parish councillor and continued her voluntary and charity work, including at Bromsgrove’s Life After Stroke Centre.
After the palace trip on October 31, Janice and her family went for dinner at Chequers in Marlow.
