Westbury volunteer awarded British Empire Medal for outstanding community service

A Westbury Leigh resident has been honoured with a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s Birthday Honours for her volunteer work with Westbury Cadets and St John Ambulance. 

Lily Munday received the award in recognition of her long-standing dedication to volunteering in the local community. Alongside her work with the Cadets and St John Ambulance, she has supported the White Horse Team Ministry, worked closely with the Westbury Heritage Society, and given free talks at local care homes over many years. 

Lily said, “I couldn’t believe it when the letter came through the door. I saw the Government logo and thought, ‘Have I done something wrong?’ I had quite the reaction! 

“Then I opened the letter and read about the BEM. It’s a real honour. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, I don’t think.” 

One of the first people Lily told was her friend Rev Rebecca Harris, team rector at the White Horse Team Ministry. She was also able to share the good news with some Westbury Cadets at the Young People Awards on 18th June. 

Caring for others, Lily says, is simply “part of who I am.” 

Born and raised in Westbury Leigh, Lily was encouraged from an early age by her parents Violet and Sydney to look out for others wherever possible. 

She joined St John Ambulance as an adult member in 1980 and has since trained hundreds of people from All Saints’ Parish Hall. 

Lily, who lives in Westbury Leigh with her tortoise Toni, explained, “My father was a first-aider on the railway and thought it was important for me to learn the same skills. I’ve really enjoyed working with young people and seeing what they can go on to do. There’s one boy, just 15, who actually saved his mother’s life after she had a heart attack at home. Hearing stories like that is just amazing.” 

Lily was named White Horse News ‘Person of the Year’ in 2016 after a public vote, and is widely known not only for her volunteer work but also her former career as a glove-maker. 

She began her gloving career at Boultons in Westbury Leigh aged just 15 and went on to become a departmental supervisor. Lily has shared the fascinating history of the company – once a major local employer – in talks and even on BBC Wiltshire. 

Now 74, Lily still makes gloves in Warminster and continues to volunteer with several organisations. In 2019, she teamed up with local artist Lesley Longworth to create a special exhibition about the history of Westbury Leigh. She has no plans to slow down and hopes to encourage more people to get involved in their community. 

“I do keep busy. I really care about the area and doing what I can,” she said. 

“I started a lot of this after I lost my parents and was on my own. I do think they’d be proud of what I’ve done. 

“Volunteering is good for the community but also really good for yourself and your own wellbeing. For me, it’s just about talking to people and helping them if I can.”