A WOMAN who has dedicated her life to cultivating the arts and helping young people in Southend has been named on the King’s New Year’s Honours list.

Sally Browne, 82, from Westcliff, was appointed an MBE for her work with Southend Music Festival, Thorpe Bay Townswomen’s Guild and the Southend Scout and Guide Gang Show.

When she was told of the honour, Sally admitted she thought it was a hoax at first and couldn’t quite believe she had been nominated for the honour.

She said: “Receiving the MBE builds the profile of all the things I have been involved with throughout my life, it’s amazing.

“I had a letter from the cabinet office at the beginning of November and I thought it was a hoax.

“I filled in a questionnaire to say I’d accept the honour then I had a further call from the cabinet office three weeks ago which was quite interesting.

“I was read out a citation and was taken quite aback not realising it was everything I was involved with, helping people and just living my life.”

Sally has been involved with Southend Music Festival, now Southend Festival of Performing Arts since 1978.

She was initially an entry secretary before the festival moved to an electronic system in 2022 and has served as chairman for 20 years.

Sally is now a steward and still believes in the festival as a platform for Southend talent.

She added: “I volunteered to help out and I haven’t missed a festival in all those years. Everyone involved is a volunteer.

"I would like to reiterate how much I believe it is a platform for people to perform in front of an audience.”

Sally moved to Southend in 1971 and got a letter from Thorpe Bay Townswomen’s guild in 1972.

She added the group became a “surrogate family” to her as she moved so far for her husband’s job.

Sally added: “I was taken under their wing and have been a member ever since, it was a society to educate women when there wasn’t much of that.

“Now it forms a place where women can come and feel welcomed.

“I was also chairman with them twice and am still involved in fundraising.”

Sally’s involvement with the Scout and Guide Gang Show began in 1984 as she helps with hair, make up and costumes. The next production is in February.