It’s an honour for community champion Bette (From St Helens Star)

It’s an honour for community champion Bette Yates

9:00am Saturday 19th January 2013 in News By Oliver Kurt

COMMUNITY champ Bette Yates has been saluted for her outstanding work in St Helens for the past 30 years by being named on the New Year’s Honours list.

Margaret Elizabeth Yates, pictured, commonly known as Bette, has been awarded an MBE for her services to the community of Fingerpost and the surrounding area.

She has been an active part of the community for the past 30 years and in 1995 established FINTRA, Fingerpost Tenant and Residents Association.

The group offers support and organises events for local residents. In recent years FINTRA has successfully campaigned against proposals for buildings such as a women’s hostel which threatened the regeneration of the community.

Bette, 69, has fronted the team of volunteers at FINTRA as secretary to the group and was delighted with the news that came from Buckingham Palace.

She said: “I’m absolutely delighted; it came completely out of the blue! I knew I was on the list before Christmas when the letter arrived but I had to keep it a secret.

“I’m not only happy for myself but for all the volunteers and the community in general. It shows that we are being recognised and that our work means something to people. It’s a change from all the footballers and celebrities you see getting the honours.”

The grandmother of three is now waiting until June when she will travel down to London to collect her MBE.

Traditionally, the recipient of the award is presented with their medal by a member of the royal family, however Bette will have to wait to find out who she’ll be meeting.

She added: “They won’t say what’s happening at the ceremony until five weeks before. It’s all very exciting.”