Access to Community Education

Jeanette Harriman, known as Jenny, was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June for Services to Adult Education in Brixham.  

Jenny was invited to Buckingham Palace to receive her MBE on Prince Charles birthday, 14^th November. Her husband, John, and parents, John and Dolores Finch from Plymouth, accompanied her. 

Jenny said “Not only was it a great honour to be awarded the MBE, but the occasion was particularly special. From getting lost in London and being given a police escort to the Palace to actually meeting the Queen. Until you arrive you don’t know whether it will be Prince Charles or Her Majesty presenting the awards.  

All the recipients were given such care and guidance throughout the event by the Gentlemen Ushers and we were able to admire the wonderful paintings in the Queen’s personal picture collection. To see a huge painting of her coronation as a young woman just as you entered the Ballroom made a great impact on me, it makes you realise the length of her service to the country.  

The Queen was truly humbling as she stood for an hour and a half talking to every recipient, guarded by five Yeomen of the Guard and two Gurka soldiers. She asked me about my work in the Brixham community and I was able to tell her how much learning changed lives for the better, especially my work with disabled adults who are members of ACE.” 

Afterwards Jenny’s husband realised that Peter Osborne, a previous work colleague from Ipplepenn, was one of the Yeomen of the Guard. Peter came over for a chat and joined the family for a photo. The day was rounded off with the 21 gun salute for Prince Charles and then the family went onto a special mealtime celebration. Then back to work in Brixham for Jenny, where she still has to seek funding to ensure the important work with disabled people can continue after this national recognition.