MBE: A very special delivery (From Witney Gazette)

MBE: A very special delivery

7:58pm Thursday 18th January 2007 in Witney By Rosalind Miles

VI MILES got a special delivery at home - her MBE for services to the community.

Mrs Miles, 78, from Milton-under-Wychwood, was awarded the honour in the New Year's Honours list.

After being diagnosed with cancer, she chose to receive the award at home.

It was presented by Malcolm Cochrane, the Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire. She said: "It's a wonderful achievement, but I don't know if I deserve it.

"My family will be so overwhelmed, because nothing like this has ever happened to them before.

"The work I've done has all been in my village.

"I've also worked with the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"I wanted to get involved with the society because I had two very good friends who both had MS, and I thought 'this needs a lot of work'."

Mrs Miles has spent her life doing work for the village and looking after the sick.

She was brought up in an orphanage in Bucking- hamshire, and came to Milton-under-Wychwood when she was 17, to work in the Land Army.

In 1960, she married Don Miles, and has one, son Keith, and three grandchildren, Jessica, Georgia, and Oscar.

Her fundraising efforts have included cycle rides and organising fetes and raffles.

Milton-under-Wychwood village hall was built partly on funds she raised.

Wendy Earley, the wife of Mrs Miles' nephew, said: "A lot of people in the village decided Vi needed recognising.

"So they wrote letters to the Prime Minister.

"She's enjoying the excitement, but said she was receiving the honour for her family, who are thrilled for her."