EILEEN Dilley needs no introduction in Herefordshire where she has lived, worked and inspired for many years.

She is Women’s Institute ‘royalty’ – she has been county chairman for five years – and has been honoured with the British Empire Medal, presented to her in a special ceremony last weekend by the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Lady Darnley.

Wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, 81-year-old Eileen still maintains a busy schedule. The history of tea is her specialist subject; she gives talks on her much-researched theme, and urges everyone to drag the ancestral china out of the cupboard in order to enjoy a proper brew.

She may have the necessary refinement and poise to serve afternoon tea with elegance. But don’t be fooled: Eileen Dilley has thrown caution to the wind, harnessing up for some daredevil exploits.

At the age of 72 she was shinning down the side of Eastnor Castle for a charity abseil in aid of the Acorns hospice, later taking to the skies for a sponsored parachute jump, again for Acorns

“I did say I would refuse to do a bungee jump,” she confessed.

Her long sojourn in Herefordshire with her former police officer husband, Ted, is sadly coming to an end. The Dilleys are moving to Lincolnshire to be near their family, though Eileen’s well-oiled model will keep the wheels turning.

No wonder then that Eileen cannot understand the concept of boredom when considering how much she has achieved in bringing people together.

Her devotion to the WI over the years is legendary, and she has volunteered at two National Trust properties in Herefordshire, Berrington Hall and Brockhampton for 30 years. For 21 years she has organised regular outings and speakers for the Lyonshall Ladies’ Luncheon Club – she and Ted ran a successful bed and breakfast business in a Georgian House at Lyonshall – and launched a luncheon club in Hereford, and of course there’s a club in Sutton St Nicholas where they presently live.

When the Dilleys ran their B&B, Eileen perfected the art of serving Edwardian-style afternoon tea, her deftness winning an Egon Ronay Tea Place of the Year award in 1987 – she has a gigantic teapot to prove it. Since then she has gone on to become a Tea Council ambassador, and twice a year, Eileen has arranged coach trips to interesting venues all over Britain, and even further afield to Switzerland. On top of that, the Dilleys are both vice-presidents of Kington Operatic Society.

How does she find the time? “You just get on with it,” says Eileen.

Lady Darnley extols Eileen’s contribution to Herefordshire WI federation as “outstanding”. The Lord Lieutenant also tells her: “I know that there will be much joy at your recognition. You are a very deserving recipient.”

Time to put the kettle on: Eileen and Ted have a huge selection; among favourites, Russian Caravan tea, served of course in bone china cups.