Forest of Dean Gymnastics Club founder Lynn Hamersley was officially presented with her MBE for services to her sport and community at Windsor Castle last week.

Forest gymnastics stalwart Lynn was named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list in January 2020 for her 45 years of commitment to "Gymnastics, Fitness and the Community of the Forest of Dean".

The original ceremony was due to take place at Buckingham Palace in April last year, but the pandemic prevented it from taking place until this month.

She attended an investiture ceremony last Tuesday, (November 9), where she was presented with the award by His Royal Highness Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.

Lynn and her husband Chris were escorted through the grounds and several of the state apartments of Windsor Castle before the ceremony.

She described the day as "amazing and very memorable", and said Prince William was "charming and very friendly".

Lynn started the Forest of Dean Gymnastics Club in 1976 and has been coaching almost daily ever since.

As the club expanded and numbers grew, Lynn began fundraising to build a purpose built gymnastics and fitness centre.

After 11 years, she and club members had raised £1.25 million.

The Forest of Dean Gymnastics Centre in Five Acres is now 25 years old, and thousands of local children have benefited from the gymnastics club and fitness facilities at the centre in that time.

Lynn was "very humbled" to be nominated for the award by one of her former gymnasts, Rachel Sutton, nee Addis.

Rachel had trained with Lynn many years ago when the Forest of Dean Gymnastics Club trained in a school gym.

After the award was announced last year, Rachel organised a surprise presentation for Lynn, in which she was given a trophy and flowers by Coleford Mayor Nick Penny during a break in the Forest Gymnastic Championship.