A party was held in Hangleton yesterday evening (Friday 11 September) to congratulate a community stalwart who was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Pat Weller, 75, of Godwin Road, Hove, was honoured for her work as chair of the Hangleton and Knoll Project. She has held many other unpaid posts in the area over the past 40 years.
The Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Peter Field – the Queen’s representative in the county – was among those who paid tribute to modest Mrs Weller.
He said that the MBE was the highest honour for a community volunteer and he added that Pat Weller was a worthy recipient.
Hove MP Peter Kyle said that he had only recently met Mrs Weller but had already come to appreciate what a force for good she was.
Parish priest Father Keith Perkinton paid tribute to her grassroots work, her sense of vocation and how it came from the heart.
While people knew the Pat who got things done, he said, she was unassuming and a good listener. He added: “She knows the community.”
Hangleton and Knoll ward councillor Dawn Barnett said: “MBEs are awarded to those special people who have made an outstanding contribution to their local communities over a number of years – what the Prime Minister would call ‘community champions’.
“In my view there is nobody more fitting of this description in our area than Pat.
“Right at the outset when I got involved in local politics here in Hangleton and Knoll it was made very clear to me – if you wanted to get something done, if you wanted to know something important, if there was a crisis that required managing, contact Pat Weller.
“It is no exaggeration to say that without Pat the community of Knoll would not be the great place that it is today.
“I would still be standing here this time tomorrow if I were to list all Pat’s contributions to the community and I’m sure that is the last thing you all want.
“But I will mention just a few of the key projects she has been in instrumental in.
“Pat was one of the founders of the Knoll Advice Centre and was one of the first people to be trained up to provide advice.
“She also helped set up the Community Buildings Network alongside Angela Sandrino, a founder member of the Trust for Developing Communities.
