A WOMAN from Bere Alston has received her OBE from Her Majesty The Queen, as part of the new year honours for her services to further education. Heather Maxwell, who is now the principal of South Devon College in Paignton, received her honour at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace on March 6. She was able to take three guests and her daughter Esther Maxwell, son Richard Maxwell and daughter-in-law Sally Maxwell, said they thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. Heather, whose mother Hilda still lives in Bere Alston, spent her youth in the village and was a student at Tavistock College from 1960-1967. From school Heather went to study in Liverpool at Immarsh College of Physical Education where she qualified as a secondary school teacher of PE and art. Since Heather's appointment, South Devon College has gone from strength to strength and Heather spearheaded the relocation to a new campus at Paignton. Heather said: 'It has been a great privilege to have had the opportunity to lead the College over the past six years. 'Learning changes people's lives in a very positive way and I have been fortunate in being able to work in education for my entire professional career. 'I have also enjoyed the support of very talented people who have contributed to the creation of a college which inspires all of us to do our very best for the community we serve'.
