BUDE’S ‘favourite lady’ has been presented with a British Empire Medal by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall.

Margaret Frost, who owns Margaret’s Rustic Tea Gardens at Northcott Mouth, famous for its almighty cream teas, was nominated for the award for her positive contribution to the Bude community.

Margaret has run her tea gardens since 1963, whilst doing a lot for her town and its organisations. During her time, she has been president of the Bude Carnival Committee; she fundraised to open a holiday home to provide holidays for severely injured ex-servicemen to enjoy surfing as part of their rehabilitation; she has raised thousands for Bude Town Band, and has remained a dedicated committee member for the band.

She has also shown great support to Bude Rotary Club, provides refreshments and entertainment for walkers taking part in the Great Atlantic Charity Walk, fundraises for the RNLI and also provides lunch for the lifeguards.

Additionally, Margaret has been a committee member of the Bude, Stratton and District Cancer Research organisation, through which she has helped to raise over £30,000 through tea parties and other events.

On receiving the BEM, Margaret told the Post that she felt ‘humbled’, and found out that she was to receive the medal through a letter that was sent to her from the cabinet three weeks before Christmas.

Although sworn to secrecy, Margaret felt she had to tell her daughter, Michele, who came along to the presentation on Friday, April 20 in Truro.

Margaret said she had a ‘wonderful, wonderful afternoon’, celebrated with family and friends. She will go to a celebratory garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 5.

Margaret added: “I felt very overwhelmed on Friday. Everything I have done in Bude, I’ve loved doing — so I thought there was no need for it really. But I feel very humbled.

“What is really overwhelming is how pleased the people in Bude are for me — it means such a lot.

“I’ve been given a certificate, which I’ve had framed, but I’m not sure what I will do with the medal just yet!”