A MENSTRIE man has been awarded a British Empire Medal in recognition of his work within the village throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

David Sharp, chair of Menstrie Community Council, was presented with his medal by Lord Lieutenant Johnny Stewart at a small ceremony last Thursday, August 5.

During the Covid restrictions, David organised grant funding and donations to provide for food parcels for the elderly, vulnerable and shielding residents in the village.

More than 140 parcels were delivered each week through a healthy cohort of volunteers.

Asked how proud he was to receive the medal, David said: "It's been a long couple of Covid years, but it's a great achievement for me to receive the medal.

"We received the commendation this time last year but with the [Covid-19 restrictions] we weren't able to receive the medal since then.

"It was well worth the wait."

David continued: "We got a letter from London saying it was in recognition of the work we done within the village throughout Covid; setting up the community support groups, looking after senior groups and we done food banks for VE day.

"I couldn't have got the award without the help of my family so it's been well received."

Widely respected in the village, David was pivotal in ensuring that the VE75 commemoration went ahead in a very locally delivered way including almost 400 VE medals and goody bags for the local primary school children.

There were also lockdown bags for secondary pupils and a VE afternoon tea for the older residents of Menstrie.

Despite the award being given for the work throughout the months of the pandemic, David insists that good work will not stop and will continue as long as possible.

"I've been in the village for 45 years," he said. "It's a great village to be in, I just hope to continue my work through the community council and make it an even better place.

"I'm also looking for more volunteers, the more people that volunteer the more that can be done for the village."

David and his family were invited to Arndean for the presentation last week, and received by the Wee County's Lord Lieutenant.

Lt Col (ret.) Stewart added: "It was a privilege for me to present David with his British Empire Medal for all he has done for the people of Menstrie during these very difficult times.

"It is really good news for him, Menstrie and the entire Wee County."

Anyone who would like to volunteer for the Menstrie Communty Council can contact menstriecommunity@gmail.com for more information.