A handful of Brecon’s most dedicated volunteers, workers and charity fundraisers have received royal recognition for their achievements at a special ceremony held last week.

Brecon Cathedral was awash with local pride on Thursday afternoon as the area’s finest came together in celebration on the cathedral grounds.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Powys Mrs Tia Jones was in attendance and presented the awards to the worthy recipients.

Despite the suggestion of a rain shower, the weather held firm for the ceremony and afterwards for the guests to enjoy sandwiches, cakes and scones with tea and coffee.

Brecon Mountain Rescue Team received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Mrs Jones also presented British Empire Medals (BEM) Margaret Sims, for voluntary service to the NHS and to the community in Bronllys; Catharine Sinnadurai, for services to dance education, training and performance; and Brian and Lorna Keylock for voluntary and charitable services in Brecon and Sennybridge.

Brecon Mountain Rescue are a team of around 55 volunteers based in Mid Wales who provide a 24/7 emergency response service locating and recovering people in distress in remote places.

The team is one of 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

Upon receiving the award, Nigel Dawson, Team Leader, said:

“We felt hugely privileged to have been nominated and overwhelmed when we found out we had been chosen for the Queen’s Award. A huge thank you to all those who nominated and supported us and of course to all the team of rescuers, support staff and their families for whom this award is for.

“The award is a huge honour for us and represents the hard work of both current and past members.”

The team was initially nominated for the award by former High Sheriff Mike Lewis and Mark Kerr.

Mrs Jones, on presenting the award to the team, said:

“From the Welsh Marches to the Irish Sea, in weather conditions that can change rapidly, the highly-skilled team remain courageous and I am overjoyed to present them with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.”

Margaret Sims is a well-known and highly respected figure in and around the community of Bronllys.

Margaret has dedicated over 20 years of service to Bronllys Hospital and has been instrumental in securing the future of wards on the site, as well as the development of its palliative care facilities.

On presenting Margaret with the BEM, Mrs Jones said:

“Margaret has championed the hard work it takes to raise and awareness and funds, and continues to strive for all those who need it most.”

Catharine Sinnadurai is a ballet mistress for Mid Wales Dance Academy.

After seven years as a professional ballet dancer, and with over 1000 performances behind her, Catharine moved to Brecon in 2000, and has since become qualified as an exercise instructor, a Pilates matwork instructor, and in 2007 passed her Dance Teaching qualification with distinction.

As well as teaching senior pupils at the academy, Catharine also teaches a variety of classes in Brecon, including Body Conditioning and Back Care at Theatr Brycheiniog, and private exercise sessions.

Upon receiving the award, Catharine said:

“I was honoured and humbled to receive the BEM, especially alongside other recipients who have spent many years volunteering and fundraising for such good causes.

“It has been a pleasure to work with the community for the last 20 years teaching a variety of exercise and dance classes, choreographing many productions at Theatr Brycheiniog and seeing the numbers of people taking part steadily increase. There is plenty of research showing how beneficial exercise, and in particular, dance is - not only for our physical health, but for our mental health too.

“Over the past very difficult 18 months, I know many people have found keeping up their regular Pilates or dance classes (albeit online) has helped them cope with the stress of lockdowns. And now, as lockdown eases, I’m so happy to see the return of live performances to Brecon. Whether we take part in community performances, or whether we enjoy supporting them from the audience, getting back to it will give us all a much needed boost!”

Mrs Jones said: “Catharine has devoted herself to the health, wellbeing and self-confidence of thousands of pupils.

“She brings her experiences as a professional ballerina to her teaching, and many of her students have gone on to gain professional contracts.”

Brian and Lorna Keylock have been honoured for their support of the Brecon and Sennybridge branch of Cancer Research Wales.

The Brecon couple have shown incredible commitment to charitable fundraising since 1979, and have raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Brian, known as Butch, and Lorna have varied fundraising initiatives, which include clay pigeon shoots and selling raffle tickets for signed rugby shirts from their Tardis.

For over 20 years they have raffled signed rugby t-shirts at every Six Nations game raising thousands of pounds.

Upon receiving the award, Lorna said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to receive the award - it’s such an honour for us.

“We had a phone call near Christmas last year and thought it was a wind up, it was only when we got a letter in the post that it really sunk in.”

In October 2016 their fundraising initiatives for Cancer Research Wales were rewarded by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, when she presented them with the Points of Light Award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who truly contribute and make a change to their communities.

The couple have raised an estimated half a million pounds for Cancer Research Wales during their lifetime.

“We’d like to think that we’ve helped a few people over the years through Cancer Research Wales, because that’s what it’s all about,” said Lorna. “It’s such an incredible worthy cause and research is absolutely crucial.”

Brian added: “We’ll keep doing this for as long as we’re able to.

“We absolutely love what we do and will continue to raise money for this important charity.”