Former Salisbury Mayor awarded MBE in New Year's Honours list

Penny Brown, who was Salisbury's 753rd Mayor in 2013 and only the 21st woman in the role is now retired.

Six weeks ago, she returned home with three of her five grandchildren and noticed an official letter. 

She said: "I said to my husband 'Oh, it looks like I have been called for Jury service' but he had a look at the envelope and we saw it was from the cabinet office."

She has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Years Honours list in recognition of her work for charity and the local community in Salisbury.

She added: "It was a shock, I had no idea. I said 'Oh Goodness me'!"

Penny Brown (Image: Penny Brown)

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Penny's husband Derek and daughters Victoria and Hannah were all thrilled but Penny said the most difficult thing was keeping it a secret from volunteers.

She said: "The award is not just about me." 

Penny grew up and was educated in Northern Ireland.

She married army officer, Derek Brown in 1976 and spent 23 years living in West Germany, Nicosia Cyprus, Ottawa Canada & UK Bases in Hampshire, Surrey, Yorkshire, Somerset and Wiltshire. They were posted to Salisbury in 1995. 

Penny said: "We had moved 15 times in 23 years, and we said, that's it, we are not moving again."

Penny took a job as Private Secretary to the 8th Earl of Radnor and in 2003, was elected to Salisbury District Council. 

Penny Brown (Image: Penny Brown)

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In 2007, she was asked to join friends to help develop an idea to highlight injuries of wounded servicemen and women coming out of Iraq.

The initial idea was to fund the building of a swimming pool by raising £500,000. 'Help for Heroes' was born and Penny continued until the charity had accrued £18m. 

She said: "Initially, I was wondering what we could do to raise funds but then, I realised that anything is possible."

In 2008, she was offered a position with the Army Benevolent Fund developing new ideas, organising events and fundraising. She organised concert at Salisbury Cathedral and was involved in the introduction of the US Military Charity 'Wounded Warriors'. 

MRI scanner (Image: Penny Brown)

Penny retired in 2012 but was invited to Chair Fundraising for the Stars Appeal Charity in 2018, where a huge Project for a new MRI Scanner had begun.  In less than 12 months, the public raised £1.5million. 

Penny stepped down in December 2021 but said: "It's such an important charity and one people have taken to their hearts."

Penny praised volunteers and the need for people giving up their time.

She said: "There are younger people coming after me and it is so important and vital for so many charities to have volunteers. All I did was help get people motivated."