Elspeth Millen received her BEM from Lord Provost Philip Braat at the City Chambers in Glasgow.

Elspeth, who for 23 served Elderpark Housing Association, was awarded the honour by The Queen for “services to social housing and to the community in Govan”.

The occasion was attended by family and friends of Elspeth along with Elderpark Housing colleagues and the current chairperson of the Management Committee, Janet Evans.

This week Elspeth was described by Elderpark Housing chief executive Gary Dalziel – who attended the ceremony - as a “true servant of housing in Govan”.

Now in her early 80s Elspeth, who is a former chair of Elderpark Housing, remains a vibrant figure in the Govan community, is closely involved with the local church and is a regular hospital visitor.

Elspeth retired in 2019 from Elderpark Housing after 23 years of unbroken service to the Association and said: “I’m obviously delighted and immensely grateful but it came as a bolt out of the blue when I received the letter giving me the news. I had to read it more than once before it sank in!

“I retired to Govan having never lived in the area and have spent some of the happiest times in my life in this community. My time with Elderpark Housing was a wonderful period in my life and I look back on it with great fondness.”

Paying tribute to Elspeth, Gary Dalziel added: “You meet people occasionally in life who inspire you and Elspeth is one of those – a truly selfless person who has spent the last few decades of her life focused on helping others in Govan either through her role in the Housing Association and the local church.

“We are immensely grateful for her contribution to housing and despite her dedication Elspeth has never looked for praise for the remarkable work she has done over the last few decades.

“The awarding of the British Empire Medal is a fitting accolade for someone who has always put the needs of others before her own and continues to be a much-valued member of our community. We feel very privileged to be present when Elspeth was awarded this richly-deserved honour.”

The Lord Provost is also Lord-Lieutenant of Glasgow, and in that capacity, is the Queen’s official representative in the city.

In his remarks, he praised Elspeth’s work in housing and thanked her for her long years of service to Elderpark Housing.

The BEM was first awarded in 1922 and recognises “meritorious service worthy of recognition by the Crown.”