FOUR women from the Scottish Borders have been awarded British Empire Medals in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

Mother and daughter Helen Ramsey and Lynsey Cargill from Ancrum (pictured) were recognised for services to the community in Ancrum, Roxburghshire during COVID-19.

The pair who run the Ancrum Pantry supported the community during the COVID-19 pandemic providing an essential supply of food and utilities and establishing a delivery service for residents who were sick or self-isolating.

The shop became a lifeline for many particularly the elderly, vulnerable and those with underlying health conditions. Villagers were able to phone requests for provisions and have them delivered to their door the following morning, along with the uplift or delivery of letters and parcels.

The shop was kept open 7 days a week, and the shop’s Facebook page became a vital means of communication, signposting help available to residents.

Also recognised was Josephine Robson from Broughton for services to Foster Care in Tweeddale

For over 25 years she cared for disadvantaged local children, in addition to raising her own family, using her home as a focus for a happy group of children, providing stimulus to help develop their creativity.

She was also was active in the successful campaign to prevent closure of the local primary school, and has volunteered as an adult literacy tutor spending hours working with adult learners.

Shelagh Mary Weir was also recognised for services to Sport in the Scottish Borders. (Duns, Berwickshire)