THERE were double celebrations in the Borders recently as the Duke of Buccleuch marked a diamond wedding anniversary and the presentation of a British Empire Medal.
A a ceremony at Bowhill House, Selkirk, the Lord-Lieutenant of Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale, the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry presented Sharon Melrose BEM with her British Empire Medal for "services to Swimming in Malawi".
Ms Melrose was named as a BEM recipient in the King's New Year's Honours list.
A former nurse and teacher, Ms Melrose is passionate about teaching young people to swim, and has coached hundreds since the 1990s.
In her career Ms Melrose helped to set up the Malawi Aquatic Union which enabled young children in Malawi to compete abroad. She has also coached swimmers at an Olympic level, and ran a not-for-profit swim club.
The Duke of Buccleuch said: “It was a great honour to meet Sharon and her family. I’m delighted to award her the British Empire Medal for services to Malawi swimming over 25 plus years.
“She is hugely inspirational and so many hundreds of young people have benefited from her work.
“As well as opening up a whole new direction for children and young people from Malawi in competitive swimming, it is a life-skill, which I’m sure, many may not have had the opportunity to learn if it hadn’t been for Sharon.”
In 2019, Ms Melrose, who now lives in the Borders, was recognised in the Sports Excellence category by the Malawi National Council of Sports for her contribution to swimming in Malawi.
She was joined at Bowhill by her friends and family.
Also celebrating at Bowhill were Walter and Grace Miller, known locally as Bill and Irene, from Jedburgh who were invited by the Duke of Buccleuch to mark their diamond wedding anniversary.
The couple enjoyed an afternoon tea with their family in the Smoking Room at Bowhill.
Mr and Mrs Miller are well known in Jedburgh, having run Millers of Jedburgh fruit and vegetable shop.
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