MBE for Pavestone Centre manager Rhoda

"IT JUST came out of the blue," said manager of the Pavestone Centre in Coleraine, Rhoda Baxter, on hearing she was to be awarded the MBE.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jun 2010, 16:12 BST
Updated 14th Jun 2010, 17:37 BST

Rhoda said that she had no idea that she was in running for any sort of honour but the Castlerock lady was awarded the MBE for her services to people with disabilities in Northern Ireland.

The Pavestone Centre provides rehabilitation for people with physical and mental health problems. The centre runs a sheltered business called Finn McCool and Co which makes quality products for the tourist market and is affiliated to the Crafts Council of Ireland the Craft NI.

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There is also a garden centre and a wide range of recreational courses on offer from clay pigeon shooting to card making - all with a view to getting people back to work again and rehabilitated.

“I’m delighted with the honour,” said Rhoda, “but I really want it to bring something back to the Pavestone Centre so that the people here get the recognition they deserve.

“I received a lovely card of congratulations from the craft workers here and telephone calls from my colleagues in the Northern Trust.

“I am delighted that this may bring some recognition to the Coleraine area as it has been most welcoming to me since I came her around 22 years ago,” said Rhoda who will travel to Buckingham Palace in the Autumn to receive her award.

Related topics:MBEColeraineNorthern Ireland