Newark woman Margaret Sibcy, 79, receives award for years of service as secretary of the Sherwood Foresters Association

Twenty-five years of loyal service was rewarded in a big surprise for a Newark woman.

Margaret Sibcy, 79, received an award for many years as secretary of the Sherwood Foresters Association at a pilgrimage service at Crich Memorial Tower in Derbyshire by Colonel Mark Davis.

Margaret went along to her first meeting back in 1994 when she accompanied her brother and sister-in-law to a meeting at the RAF Association (RAFA) club in Newark, and became a member as a way to make new friends.

A vacancy for a secretary became available after the Foresters’ secretary retired.

Margaret said: “I didn’t have any secretarial experience so I said I would take it on for six months and if they didn’t like me, I’d stand down ­— and I’ve been there ever since.”

Margaret also took on the club’s treasury duties, and is responsible for organising day trips for the group.