On a calm January night, three bright-eyed artists gathered in an intimate seating area at Rawlins Municipal Library, bound together by passion for the arts – and membership in the
Veronica Main will receive an MBE The New Year’s Honours list revealed earlier this week saw a number of Buckinghamshire residents recognised for their outstanding work in supporting key services and communities. Charity stalwarts, Covid-19 heroes, healthcare champions, a councillor and volunteers were just some of the recipients of these prestigious awards. Among the more unusual efforts being honoured were those of Veronica Main, from Hazlemere, who will receive an MBE for services to Straw Hat Plaiting and Endangered Crafts Skills. Ms Main was nominated by the Heritage Crafts Association (HCA) in this year’s New Year Honours, following 19 previously successful nominations since 2013, in recognition of a lifetime spent researching, practicing and teaching the craft of straw plaiting for the hat industry.