A former Mirfield woman who was awarded an MBE for services to education has stepped down from a voluntary role spanning two decades.
Dewsbury-born Jean Hardy, 60, retired after 21 years on the board of governors at West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield.
She was chairman for the last 17 years.
Jean now plans to devote more time to her family and travel with husband Robin.
Australia is also on the horizon as Jean’s GP son Simon and wife Joyce emigrated in April. The couple are also expecting their first child in February.
Jean and Robin lived in Mirfield before relocating to Nottinghamshire in 1986.
Prior to their move, the couple were well-known figures in the local community, where Jean served as chairman of Mirfield Ladies’ Circle and Robin was a member of the Mirfield Round Table.
Jean’s mother Brenda Parlar and brothers Ian and David still live in the Dewsbury area.
Jean, who now lives in Little Carlton near Newark joined West Nottinghamshire College’s board of governors in 1992 and became chair four years later – the youngest in the country at the time, and one of only two women to hold the role within a college.
“In those days, the chair of governors at colleges were mostly retired men in suits, so being one of only two women certainly attracted some attention,” said Jean.
“At the time it was quite unusual – as was taking on the role at a relatively young age – but it was never an issue for me.”
Jean combined her governor duties with her professional career in the NHS; both as a human resources director and as a consultant before recently calling time of her working life after more than 40 years’ service. High points included meeting the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Kent and the Duke of York when they each visited the college, while being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2011 for her services to education is her most fulfilling personal accolade.
“Receiving the MBE from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace was a very proud moment, not just for me but for Robin, Simon and my wider family and was very humbling indeed,” she said.
