A special tribute has been paid by the Mayor to a nonagenarian who has run a senior social club in Wheathampstead for decades

Nonwy Maw, a wartime encrypter, moved to the village in 1958 and began her involvement with the club by giving lifts to some of the 80 members.

She went on to run the club for many years, producing homemade lunches and teas even though she was older than many of those who went along.

Attendance is now down to four people so Mrs Maw, 91, has decided to retire and spend more time in her garden - but she does not intend to disappear completely from voluntary work.

She said: “The club has kept me active. Although this is our last meeting, I will stay in touch with the members and will call one particular club member when Wales wins the rugby.”

Mrs Maw’s voluntary work at the club, based at Wheathampstead Memorial Hall in Marford Road, is a far cry from her years as a Wren and code decrypter at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, during World War Two.

During that time, her late husband Denys was a prisoner of war who escaped a German prison camp in 1944 – an event immortalised in the film The Great Escape.

The Mayor, Cllr Annie Brewster, who represents Wheathampstead ward on the district council, was at the last meeting to congratulate Mrs Maw on her achievement.

She said: “I am very honoured to come to the final gathering of this remarkable club. You have made it possible for friendships to be formed and strengthened in the very heart of our community.

“I want to offer you my warmest congratulations for what you have achieved here in Wheathampstead.”