OIC thank volunteer awarded Queen’s BEM for Cathedral services

Kirkwall’s Marlene Croy has been named in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for her voluntary service to St Magnus Cathedral and the wider Orkney community.

Marlene, who has been an Elder and looked after the flowers within the Cathedral for the past 40 years, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for meritorious civil service.

Initially, Marlene, was unsure whether the email notification of the award was genuine.

“I thought there was no way that this could be for me – so to find out it was left me feeling completely gobsmacked and unworthy.”

Marlene, who was married to the late Councillor Fred Croy and has three grown up children, Alan, Ian and Shona, has lived within the vicinity of the Cathedral since she was born.

“I have grown up with the bells of the Cathedral – it has been so much a part of my life. I became an Elder in 1980 which involves door duties and visiting folk within your allocated district and I also began looking after the flowers within the Cathedral.

“Unfortunately, this year due to Covid working within the Cathedral has been a huge miss. I do volunteer at the Blue Door, we have the St Magnus Friendship Group and I am part of the Orkney Talking Newspaper, which has now restarted. I have also been a member of the Kirkwall Flower Arrangement Club for more than 40 years and President twice.”

Due to the ongoing restrictions, the awarding of the BEM is almost certain to take a different format this year, with a visit to Holyrood unlikely.

“I don’t mind at all – I’m not one for any fuss!”

The Council’s St Magnus Cathedral Sub-Committee conducts matters relating to the fabric and use of the Cathedral and its curtilage on behalf of the people of Orkney.

The Cathedral Sub-Committee Chair Councillor Gwenda Shearer thanked Marlene for her continued voluntary work within the Cathedral and the wider community.

“On behalf of Orkney Islands Council, I offer our congratulations to Marlene on this very deserved award and recognition of her hard work and efforts over four decades and more. Marlene is one of an army of passionate and dedicated volunteers here in Orkney who go the extra mile for their communities.”