MBE double for tireless volunteers

HONOUR . . . Ken and Anne Wright each receive an MBE

A Dobcross couple had a pleasant surprise when they discovered they had each been awarded an MBE for services to the community on the same day.

Ken and Anne Wright both do a tremendous amount of work for the arts and voluntary sector.

But while the modest couple are delighted to be recognised, they insisted that there are many more deserving people for an honour, although Ken (80) admitted: “We never stop. We both lead a very busy life.”

He said: “We think it must be pretty unusual for two people in the same house to get one on the same day. I was shocked, it was totally unexpected. I got my envelope and I opened it and realised what had happened and my wife was all over me congratulating me and then she opened hers and had one as well.

“You realise what an honour it is but the wife’s reaction is there must be people more deserving. We have both worked in the voluntary sector for many years but so have so many other people.”

Anne (73) said: “It’s very humbling. It’s an invaluable honour and the fact that people think you’re worth it is quite gobsmacking. I have always collected for different charities ever since I had my Dr Barnado’s House aged four.

“I always maintained that once I stopped working I had to put something back into society and I started doing voluntary work and enjoyed it.”

They are both heavily involved with Delph’s Millgate Arts Centre — which has gone from a small amateur theatre group to a community centre for the whole of Saddleworth — and amateur theatre group The Saddleworth Players. Both help run the Talking Newspaper for the Blind and have been involved with Meals on Wheels.

Ken has been involved with amateur theatre for 60 years starting off with acting and then taking a step back into management. He was involved with Crompton Theatre, designing and supervising the building, and has been with Millgate and Saddleworth Players since 1965. He’s also heavily involved with the Canal Society and helped the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service.

Anne was treasurer with the Saddleworth branch of Cancer Research UK for 20 years and helps Saddleworth Voluntary Service, a luncheon club for older people.