A FORMER Land Girl who has devoted her time to helping others has been made an honorary citizen of Chipping Norton.

Betty Hicks, 85, was presented with the award by town mayor Mike Tysoe at a ceremony at Chipping Norton Town Hall on Sunday.

More than 200 friends and relatives gathered to watch her receive a medal at the event, organised by Chipping Norton Town Council.

Mrs Hicks started working for charities and helping others when husband Bill died in 1993, shortly before the couple were about to retire.

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She drives OAPs to hospital appointments, takes blind residents to clubs, runs the town hall’s Monday club and is a member of the Royal British Legion.

She also bakes cakes for the Chipping Norton Country Market and sells poppies for the RBL each November.

Mrs Hicks said: “Helping people gives me something to do and is a great way of meeting people but I never expected to get anything like this. I was surprised when I found out. It was a lovely day and lots of people came.”

It is the seventh award given by the council since 2006 to reward people who have made a special contribution to the town.

Previous residents to receive the title include former town councillors Rob Evans and Mike Howes.

Mr Tysoe said: “Betty is well loved in the community, is always busy and is never more happy then when she is doing things for people in the Chipping Norton area.

“Betty richly deserved the award for her charity work in the town.”

Mrs Hicks was born Betty Rhodes in Bradford, Yorkshire, in 1929 to Tom and Mary Rhodes.

She moved to Chipping Norton aged 18 in 1947 when she joined the Land Army, serving until 1950.

In 1950 she married Bill Hicks and the couple had five children.

Mrs Hicks also has nine grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

She retired from working as a cook at the town’s Kingham School in 1993.

Six other individuals have so far been made honorary citizens of Chipping Norton as a reward for their outstanding contributions to the town:

  • John Hannis – former town mayor, county and district councillor: honoured for his service to the town council and the Royal British Legion. 
  • John Grantham – former town mayor, town and district councillor: honoured for his services to the council and the town community.
  • Drs Sheila and Bruce Parker – former GPs in the town: honoured for their involvement in church and charitable works.
  • Mike Howes – former town councillor: honoured for organising the Chipping Norton jazz festival and supporting many community groups. 
  • Rob Evans – former town and district councillor: honoured for heading campaigns to improve youth provision, to clean up the town to help renovate the town hall and support The Theatre

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