Aroundtown Magazine January/February 2024 edition

AROUNDTOWN
Harley’s Cynthia Shaw
receives MBE
from King Charles at Windsor Castle
It was the crowning glory to a wonderful year
for Harley’s Cynthia Shaw as she was formally
presented with her MBE from King Charles III
at an investiture in December.
After being told she had been
awarded an MBE for services to the
community in Rotherham as part
of last year’s New Year’s Honours,
84-year-old Cynthia collected
her insignia at Windsor Castle on
Tuesday 12th December.
Cynthia was one of around 80
recipients being presented with
their medals that day in the Castle’s
Queen Drawing Room. But she
commended King Charles on his
ability to make her feel like the only
person in the room.
“The ceremony is commonplace
to His Majesty, but to those people
walking in it’s an honour. I didn’t
feel worthy of being there. But I
remembered what my dad used
to say to me as a girl. ‘Get them
shoulders back, tha’s as good as
any of them.’
“The King bestowed upon me
the confidence not to feel inferior.
He was so warm, welcoming, kind
and understanding. He listened with
intent, was well informed of what I’d
done, and reassured me that an old
woman like me had earned the right
to be there.”
Following a 35-year career with
the National Coal Board, Cynthia
has dedicated the last five decades
to the community in various
voluntary roles. She has served
as a magistrate, parish councillor,
hospital governor, and trustee of
Wentworth Charity.
She was also instrumental in
raising over £150,000 to save
Harley Mission Rooms in her home
village, as well as fighting for safety
improvements on the A6135 behind
her house.
It’s any wonder she found time
to squeeze the King in during her
busiest month of the year, what
with organising a brass band
concert, Christmas fair, decorating
indoor and outdoor trees, giving
talks to groups, and running her
famous Christmas raffle from which
she raised over £1,000 for the
Mission Room.
“I’ve had a lot out of life, I had
a good education, and it’s been
right for me to put something back
in. All I could think was what on
earth would my mum and dad have
thought about me meeting the King.
It was very humbling. Mum had
never even been to Sheffield from
our home in Hoyland Common!”
While waiting for the Lord in
Waiting to call her through, Cynthia
was seated next to Line of Duty’s
Vicky McClure who was also
receiving an MBE that day.
With her son Kelvin away on
a world tour to celebrate his
retirement, she was joined at the
investiture by her two grandsons,
Thomas and Samuel. Proud of
their grandma, they treated her to a
slap-up meal at The Ivy Royal
Windsor afterwards.
“My grandsons both said
it’s highly unlikely they’ll ever
experience anything like it again in
their lifetimes. I defy anyone not to
gasp when they walk in; you cannot
fail to be impressed by the majesty
and spectacle of it all.
“There’s a realisation that you’re
part of history and tradition. It
was like a military exercise, very
organised and the utmost precision
without being officious. It made me
proud to be British.”
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