A pair of women who have dedicated their lives to helping others in Perthshire have received British Empire Medals (BEM) at a reception in the Fair City’s Civic Hall.
Mairi Philp from Comrie, and Anne Pack from Inchture, both 63, received their awards from Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, brigadier Sir Melville Jameson.
Mrs Philp received the accolade for her service as a nurse and outreach worker while Mrs Pack was recognised for a varied career that has combined folk music, supporting charity and working as a personal assistant to the head of agricultural research centre the James Hutton Institute (JHI).
Mrs Pack has worked at the JHI in for 26 years – 22 of those as PA to four different chief executives.
She has combined this with a career playing guitar, and writing and singing folk music. She recorded nine albums and toured Canada. Latterly, her short stories have been published to wide acclaim.
She said finding out she was to receive a BEM was a “a huge shock and a lovely surprise”.
“I thought a lot of this was about what these great people were doing at the JHI and not for one minute did I think that I had done anything that would warrant this.”
“I am very proud to be part of the institute and I am very proud of my achievements in the musical and writing world as well.”
She said she would regularly play gigs for nothing so the money could go to charitable causes and advised other aspiring musicians that a full time job was nothing to be scared of.
“I always say to everybody to do the very best that they can do. I am very lucky that I have had the time , energy and support from my family to do all these things.
“I was working full time while I was doing gigs. So it wasn’t a difficult thing. I was quite happy to give my services for free.”
Ms Philp said she had worked “all over Perthshire” in a variety or nursing roles for 36 years, most recently in an unpaid outreach role with Abbeyfield, supporting old people.
“I am completely overwhelmed and very, very honoured. I just can’t believe it at all. I was knocked off my feet when I found out,” she said.
Her two brothers and her niece were among the members of the family who had attended the investiture ceremony, she added.
“My brother says I interfere in other people’s lives, which I do but only in a good way.”
