Ross-on-Wye took the lion’s share of the county’s New Year Honours with two of the region’s hard-working citizens scooping up Royal recognition for their work in the community.
David Gordon-Smith, who said he was “deeply flattered”, was awarded an MBE for his work with the Orchard Trust Charity and Trixie Pulsford receives an MBE for her dedication to teaching youngsters in the region to swim.
With about 140 current members at Ross-on-Wye’s Swimming Club, the recently-retired head coach Trixie Pulsford could well have helped about 4,000 youngsters and others to successfully take to the water over her 30 years association with the organisation.
As a tribute to her dedication over the years, Trixie was among those to be awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List, which “came as a total shock”, although she had previously received a letter saying her name had been put forward.
Swimming coach Trixie and her colleagues at the club teach youngsters from school entry stage 1 and 2 up to competition standard at county, district and national level – and some have gone on to compete in the Commonwealth Games and to set county records.
“I started swimming as a child and represented the school and county but then did not do a lot for a number of years”, said Trixie, who taught her own two, now grown-up, children and grandson to swim.
“I have seen a great number of changes to the competitive sport over the years – rules, regulations and the technical side have all increased, and everything is that much faster,” said Trixie, to whom another MBE and Ross resident, Joyce Thomas, paid a special tribute when she stood down as club president in March last year.
Trixie helped the Ross club secure Swim 21 status and helped provide opportunities for swimmers with learning difficulties.
She also ran non-swimming sessions, developed the National Teaching Plan and was involved in the organisation of local leagues.
l Honours – page 18.