A WOMAN who has devoted her life to her village church has been recognised for her efforts.

Dawn Castle lives in Epwell, just a few yards from St Anne’s Church.

She was nominated for a competition run by the Church of England and Country Life magazine to find volunteers who keep alive churches which are the hubs of their rural communities.

Mrs Castle was among more than 100 people put forward by their congregations, and after being selected as one of 12 finalists, she was chosen as one of two runners-up.

She said: “I have been involved in the church all my life.

“From a very young age I was in the choir and doing things like that.”

Almost 23 years ago Mrs Castle began taking on more and more responsibilities as a churchwarden, and when she retired from her job as a secondary school PE teacher 18 years ago she decided to spend her free time working with young people in the community.

Today, she opens and closes St Anne’s every day, organises flower rotas and family services, runs a drama group which meets three times a week and puts on two plays and a nativity each year.

She also runs children’s activities which include tennis sessions in the summer.

Mrs Castle received a certificate from Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams at a ceremony at Lambeth Palace, London.

Mrs Castle, who has two children and two grandchildren, said: “If we didn’t have any children in the church, we wouldn’t have a church.

“I was very honoured to receive the award, I never expected for one moment to reach that position.” She said it was fantastic to have the chance to tour Lambeth Palace and it was moving to hear the building’s history.

Former Deddington churchwarden, chorister, actor and handyman George Fenemore was also shortlisted in the competition.

The Right Rev Colin Fletcher, Bishop of Dorchester, said: “I’m delighted and proud to hear that Dawn and George have made it through to the final of this prestigious award.

“I am frequently inspired by the people I meet in our churches across Oxfordshire — ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things to help our rural communities to thrive.”

Judges for the awards included Mark Hedges, editor of Country Life, Today presenter Jim Naughtie, and the Right Rev Anthony Russell, the Bishop of Ely.