A husband and wife duo from a city suburb have been made MBEs for their services to charity and the community in Norwich.
David and Ruth Southgate of Reepham Road, Hellesdon were nominated in March 2019 after a member of their orchestra suggested it to two of their four sons.
David, 81, and Ruth, 79, have dedicated more than 50 years of their lives to voluntary work, founding Meadow Way Chapel in May 1971 as well as a 35-member orchestra.
Those in the area may also know Mr and Mrs Southgate for their shop Cards n Things, also in Reepham Road, which is now run by their youngest son Paul and his other half, Helen.
In more recent years they founded and continue to work with Hawthorne Meadow Trust which helps house the elderly in the community.
Ruth said the award came as a "complete surprise" and that she is at "a loss for words", while David added all the work they do is for the love of the community.
"It was overwhelming to be recognised," Ruth said.
"I'm not usually at a loss for words but I was - and still am. I can't believe it.
"It never crossed either of our minds that we could get an MBE.
"You see there's a need and, with our Christian faith, you get a vision to help."
David added: "You don't dream of getting an MBE. What we do just comes naturally.
"We do what we do for the community because we love doing it."
"But we've always had a good team behind us," Ruth explained.
"We can't have done any of this on our own.
"But we also make a good team as a two - but on a lot of our projects you've needed an army of good workers.
"They're not getting an MBE but they must be thanked as they work so hard."
The couple married in 1964 and have four sons - Andrew, Stephen, Pete and Paul - as well as eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Ruth added: "I wouldn't have wanted to get an MBE just for me, and I know David is the same. We're each a driving force for each other."
The Southgates have also been praised as community champions for fundraising hundreds of pounds for a public access defibrillator which sits outside Cards N Things.
Bill Johnson, vice chairman of Hellesdon Parish Council, said he was elated to hear that both David and Ruth were being recognised.
He was outside Cards n Things when he was told the news.
"We play bowls together at Hellesdon Bowls Club so I know them quite well - they're really lovely people," he said.
"They're excellent pillars of the community.
"David has always come to the full council meetings. They're very active members of the community.
"It's such a fantastic achievement and is very well deserved.
"I'm glad that they're being recognised, it's important they are.
"They're truly excellent people."
Elaine Mortimer has worked at Cards n Things for eight years and is a neighbour of the Southgate family, growing close with them through Meadow Way Chapel.
She said: "Ruth and David have done amazing things all through their lives.
"They have worked tirelessly to help the community, particularly older people - those who are lonely or on their own. They have been instrumental in setting up clubs for older people.
"They also managed and ran a children's club from Meadow Way Chapel for many years which a lot of teenagers and younger people from the community have been involved in.
"They don't do anything by halves.
"They fundraised and held several concerts through the chapel to raise enough money to get a defibrillator installed outside the shop.
"They're legends of Hellesdon, but modest.
"They're truly lovely people who would do anything for you.
"They're very much loved by anyone who's had the pleasure of having contact with them.
"It's beautiful to see them both recognised, it's amazing."
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