In her lifetime, former teacher Heather Phillips MBE has seen three national referendums, five monarchs and 20 Prime Ministers – and for almost all of those years, she has lived in the village of Wenhaston where she was born.

“Our village couldn’t survive without volunteers,” said Mrs Phillips.

She herself has given tirelessly to the village near Halesworth over the years, having served as a parish councillor for almost seven decades, from 1955 to 2022.

Heather Phillips pictured as a toddler, at Blackheath Farm. (Image: Janice Claxton / Heather Phillips) Heather Phillips has spent three years writing down her memories of the village of Wenhaston. (Image: Janice Claxton / Heather Phillips) During that time, Mrs Phillips played a vital role in projects improving village life, including the building of the village hall and a commemorative millennium map, given free to every Wenhaston to celebrate the turn of the century.

When the Festival of Suffolk Torch Relay took place in 2022, Mrs Phillips was chosen to represent Wenhaston.

And since 2005, she has been a Member of the British Empire, having been recognised for 50 years of continuous and dedicated service to the community.

So, Mrs Phillips could surely be forgiven if she had spent her time since retiring........

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