A TIRELESS volunteer has hailed Charlbury's ‘extraordinary’ community spirit after being named in the New Year’s Honours list.

Marjorie Neasham Glasgow will receive a BEM later this year after dedicating her time to several local projects, including the town’s £2.5m community centre, since moving to West Oxfordshire in 2004.

Mrs Glasgow is a trustee and former chairman of the Thomas Gifford Trust, the charity that owns the land and spearheaded building the centre, which opened in September 2017.

The 57-year-old also organises and cooks for Charlbury’s meals on wheels service, helps coordinate youth work at St Mary’s Church, and supports The Riding for the Disabled Association.

Mrs Glasgow and her husband Dine moved to the town from America to start a renewable energy business, but she revealed community work has given her the most satisfaction.

She said: “When I got deeply involved with the Thomas Gifford Trust and the centre it seemed like a great opportunity to use my business experience to help the local community.

“Completing and opening the centre was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”

The building was officially opened by ex-Prime Minister, David Cameron, after volunteers raised £250,000 over 15 years.

Mrs Glasgow praised fellow residents and admitted she was almost embarrassed to be singled out, adding: “It was a huge surprise and I was overwhelmed, but I feel very sheepish.

“Charlbury is an extraordinary town for people working for the community and this project brought everyone together.”

The centre boasts a state-of-the-art sports hall, a library open 70 hours a week, a multi-use studio and a community cafe.

It has become a ‘central hub’ for the town due to activities like the Friday night youth club set up by Mrs Glasgow, with about 60 young people signed up.

Community work runs in the blood, with Dine also heavily involved and children Clark, 27, and Betsy, 24, working on various fundraising events.

Although Mrs Glasgow prefers to shun the limelight, Thomas Gifford Trustee and Charlbury resident Richard Neville said her work was invaluable.

He added: “Marjorie is a very unassuming lady and yet she’s achieved a great deal.

“She makes the difference.”