Bexhill pair land New Year Honours

But it is for her single-minded determination to see the "People's Palace" restored to its former glory that she has been honoured. Jill was among the founders of the original De La Warr Pavilion Trust, the Friends of the De La Warr.

Though, self-effacingly, she has always denied the fact, it was Jill's energy, determination and sheer enthusiasm which did much to end the years of neglect which the world-famous Grade One Listed building had suffered.

Whenever the pavilion gained fresh architectural recognition nationally or internationally, whenever a new supporter produced a documentary charting its decline or an influential backer joined the Friends, Jill's delight was infectious.

Typically, her first response when asked on Wednesday for her reaction to award was: "This is a tribute to EVERYONE who has been involved with the building...."

Her love of the pavilion goes back a long way.

"I was born in Hastings. When I grew up my parents kept telling me there was this remarkable building in Bexhill.

"It was only really when we were shown it as new councillors as one of our 'possessions' to manage that it hit me. I fell in love with it. I realised that we owned it. It was like finding that we had the Crown Jewels.

"I had huge encouragement from David Powell (former Rother chief executive). He cared passionately about the building. So did the late Peter Evenden and Don Kimber.

"It was in such a poor state and shabby - yet you could still see the beauty of the building."

Jill met Peter Evenden when she joined the oral history group Bexhill Friends and interviewed him. His passion for the pavilion equalled hers. Together with former councillor Jan Wicks, who became the friends' chairman, they swiftly formed an effective pressure group.

The Friends were founded in 1989 and were a highly influential factor in attracting restoration funding which culminated in the 6m Lottery award.

Jill's New Year wish now is: "That the restoration goes ahead...

"I think it is so exciting that there is now a new De La Warr Pavilion Trust with a strong chairman and a good director - in fact all the team down there are excellent.

"This MBE is for ALL the staff. Someone said, and I think it is so true, that the pavilion is more than a place in which to work; it's a way of life."

Asked about the countless hours of voluntary work she had given, she said: "When you love something it's not a hardship.

"I was absolutely shocked to learn about the award, there's no other word for it.

"I think it is a tribute to the council because I have always felt they have been knocked over this building yet they have stuck with it faithfully since 1935, it's a tribute to all the people who have been involved in the campaign and it's a tribute to the people of Bexhill."

Coining a double acronym, she said: "It's MBE DLWP, isn't it?"

BEXHILL High super-teaching assistant Penny Jones was awarded the MBE for services to education in Wednesday's New Year's Honours List.

It's the icing on the cake of an incredible 15 months in which Penny was first crowned Teaching Assistant of the Year at the BT National Teaching Awards.

She has been credited as helping redefine the role of the teaching assistant through her good practices at the High, where she has recently been promoted to the role of Learning Support Manager.

Penny said: "It's a total shock. I got a letter a few months ago saying I'd been nominated but didn't really think it would come off. I didn't think it happened to normal people.

"I watched Jonny Wilkinson get his MBE a few weeks ago and thought 'can it really be possible that I will be standing where he's standing talking to the Queen?' It's a lot to take on board and I'm looking forward to the occasion a great deal. It will be an unforgettable experience.

"I have no idea who nominated me."

Life has been a whirlwind since Penny was named Teaching Assistant of the Year last November.

Since then she has been consulted by educational bodies such as OfSTED and the Teacher Training Agency on the role of the teaching assistant.

She has been instrumental in redefining the role to incorporate career prospects, training and professional qualifications.

As well as her everyday duties at the High she has been studying for a Batchellor of Arts degree in professional education at Brighton University, which she was told she has passed three weeks ago.

Penny added: "It's been a hectic 12 months but very rewarding and this MBE is a tremendous honour."

Head Mike Conn said: "I can think of no more deserving a person for such an accolade. she's had national recognition and now she's got royal recognition. Since she won the award she has worked even harder which is great testament to her commitment.

"It's great news for the town. Penny is at the forefront of professional development for teaching assistants and so is Bexhill."