CLOVENFORDS resident Eileen Smith has been named Britain's Most Helpful Shopkeeper at the "House Beautiful" magazine's national Unsung Community Hero Awards, writes Mark Entwistle.
Eileen was nominated for going above and beyond the call of duty at the shop and post office she ran in the village for 29 years with husband Clifford until the couple's retirement in December.
As well as running the shop, still called Smith's S
tores and now operated by Stuart and Davina McCreadie, Eileen supported many local activities, including the Gala Week.
And as well as going out of her way for customers, Eileen also transported the elderly for doctors' appointments, as well as collecting prescriptions for them, despite not keeping in the best of health herself.
She was nominated for the awards by friend and neighbour Dorothy Taylor, who says Eileen served the public for more than 29 years, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year.
"She is always smiling, cheerful and helpful," said Dorothy. "As well as the shop being well stocked, she also handed in your books when the library bus called or let you know when it's there. She collected your fish order from the fresh fish van and even once insisted I took her order one day when I had forgotten to put my order in.
"I cannot really put into words what Eileen means to Clovenfords, but the second nominator could have been a list of 50!"
READ ALL ABOUT IT: Eileen Smith, right, and Dorothy Taylor are in the news this week.
Eileen won a £1,000 prize, which was presented to her at a celebration lunch in Edinburgh. Eve Beaton and Rosemary Williams, of "House Beautiful", met up with Eileen and Dorothy at The Scotsman Hotel.
Eileen admits she was surprised when she found out Dorothy had nominated her – and even more so when she won.
"I found out in February that I was one of six people shortlisted for the awards in my category and was invited down to the awards night in London.
"However, my husband was in hospital for a triple by-pass operation and I did not want to go down, so I had to decline.
"I thought that would have blown my chances, but was delighted to find out I had won. Three weeks ago after Clifford came out of the hospital, we went up to Edinburgh for the presentation, which was fantastic."
"House Beautiful" editor Kerryn Harper commented: "Eileen is an integral part of her surrounding community and we were so impressed with the way she goes out of her way to do those little things that make others' lives that little bit easier."
But after 29 years running the shop, was Eileen not finding she was at a loose end most days?
"A little bit sometimes, but women can always potter, which is not something my husband finds easy. And with four grown-up children and 10 grandchildren all living either close by or not far away, there are plenty of calls on my time!"
