Pat Knifton Hough, 101, Wins BEM After 57 Years Building Nantwich Theatre

Q: As the oldest honours recipient, what is the secret to Pat Knifton Hough's lifelong community engagement and vitality at 101?

Pat Knifton Hough’s longevity in community life appears to rest on a simple combination: deep enjoyment of the work, a positive outlook, and staying actively involved with other people. By her own account, the theatre never felt like a burden. She said she had “enjoyed every minute” of her 57 years with Nantwich Players and was “thrilled to bits” by the honour. That sense of purpose matters: she was not only a supporter but one of the original members who helped turn a 300-year-old former Quaker meeting house into the Nantwich Players Theatre, creating a lasting home for local amateur dramatics. Those around her point to her character as much as her record. Chairman Jeremy Acklam described her as “incredibly generous,” consistently positive, and focused on what could be achieved for the community. That suggests her “secret” is less about age-defying formulae than about habits of mind: optimism, generosity and commitment to shared goals. Her vitality is also reflected in continued participation. At 101, she still attends almost every production, remaining connected to the theatre she helped build. That ongoing engagement keeps her closely tied to the social and cultural life of Nantwich. Taken together, the evidence points to a life sustained by purpose, pleasure in service, and strong community bonds. Knifton Hough’s example shows how long-term involvement in local culture can nourish both a person and the place they serve.

Q: Her BEM honors 57 years of service, but how was a 300-year-old building transformed into a thriving community theatre?

It was turned into a successful theatre through a practical community-led conversion that made full use of the old building and then expanded as support grew. In 1980, Pat Knifton Hough was among the original Nantwich Players members who took over the 300-year-old former Quaker meeting house from Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, which had been using it as a records office. The group converted the main structure into an 82-seat theatre and adapted the surrounding corridors to serve as a foyer and backstage space. That gave the company a workable performance venue without needing a purpose-built theatre. The project succeeded because it was not just a one-off renovation but the foundation of a long-running local institution. Knifton Hough’s work helped secure the theatre’s future, and the venue later expanded into the former funeral parlour next door, effectively doubling in size. It now has about 160 members and stages around 10 productions a year. That growth shows how the building’s transformation was sustained: by volunteer effort, careful reuse of historic space and continued community backing. Nantwich Players chairman Jeremy Acklam said the theatre is still “strongly building on her legacy,” underlining that the conversion worked because it created a lasting community asset, not simply a restored old building.

1 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 16

Pat Knifton Hough, 101, said she was "delighted and very grateful" after becoming this year’s oldest Birthday Honours recipient with a BEM for services to theatre and the community.
Her award recognizes 57 years in amateur dramatics and a central role in securing the future of Nantwich Players Theatre, where she was among the original members who helped create the venue.
In 1980, that group took over a former Quaker meeting house from the local council and converted the 300-year-old building into an 82-seat theatre with foyer and backstage space.
Nantwich Players now has about 160 members and stages 10 productions a year—roughly double the scale of the organization she helped build—and chairman Jeremy Acklam said she still attends almost every show.