A WELLINGTON charity had a special visitor to celebrate its nomination for a Queen's award.

Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Annie Maw, visited dementia awareness charity Reminiscence Learning on Wednesday, August 8, to celebrate the voluntary service award and to get to know the work the organisation does.

The charity sadly missed out on the award, but still consider the nomination an honour.

Ms Maw took part in some activities including the music and memories session, and listened to a performance from Wellington Operatic Society.

Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Annie Maw, said: “I visited Reminiscence Learning and joined in a musical afternoon with lots of people.

"It was an inspiring and reassuring experience to be among so many smiling and happy people clearly enjoying themselves.

"My observations are many of these regular visitors to Reminiscence Learning find solace and security among people who they can trust, who understand them and who do not ignore or dismiss them.

"People whose minds are no longer clear are so very isolated by our modern life style, but here, these deserving individuals are valued and respected in the way that they deserve to be.

"It is a pleasure and a privilege to have been part of this enlightened and compassionate project.”

Following the session she decided to volunteer as one of the charity's ambassadors.

Emma Green, manager, said: "We are so excited the Lord Lieutenant has now volunteered to be an ambassador for the charity.

"She took away her own Archie, our mascot, so she can start to spread the message about the work that we do."