We were delighted and very honoured to see one of our customers, Margaret Frogson looking incredibly elegant in her David Nieper jacket while receiving her Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s 90th Birthday honours list earlier this year.

The award was presented by HRH Prince Charles in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace, the citation reads: For services to Community Music in East Midlands and is due to her work with many local groups over the last 30 years

Margaret is a highly respected business-woman, philanthropist and music lover. Born in Covenham, Lincolnshire, she is the co-owner of Windblowers in Nottingham and the secretary of Nottingham Symphonic Winds. In 2006 she was awarded the Lady Hilary Groves prize for her outstanding contribution to music and in 2007, the Classic FM Music award for her work with Nottingham Symphonic Winds.

Margaret and her husband are regular visitors to the David Nieper boutique in Alfreton where Margaret purchased her beautiful Jacquard, fitted jacket, she commented: “The jacket was an impulse buy and has hung in my wardrobe for a while as until now I haven’t had anywhere special enough to wear it! This was the perfect occasion and so many ladies at the Palace stopped to admire it.”

Margaret, along with husband and business partner David Oldershaw, founded Windblowers on Derby Road, Nottingham, in 1983 and has been continuously involved since then. Margaret was instrumental in the setting up of several music groups and events in the East Midlands, most notably; – the Nottingham Young Musician of the Year Competition (in 2001), Equinox Saxophone Ensemble, and in 1987, the Nottingham Symphonic Winds.

When Margaret found out about the award she said: ‘What a tremendous honour and surprise!’ and on receiving her award: ‘Prince Charles was wonderful, he put me completely at ease and we had a lovely conversation’.