Community Hero Shelagh Busby Honoured on BBC’s The One Show

A beloved figure in her community received a heartfelt tribute during a surprise segment on BBC’s *The One Show*. Shelagh Busby, an 80-year-old resident of Collyweston, was recognized for her more than 50 years of dedicated service to local village life in a segment titled “One Big Thank You,” aired on March 15, 2024.

The surprise unfolded at the Rutland Garden Centre, where Shelagh believed she was attending a talk by renowned gardener and television presenter Joe Swift. Halfway through the presentation, the spotlight shifted to her, leaving her in astonishment as friends and family, who had secretly gathered, erupted in cheers. Joe Swift highlighted the significance of dahlias, stating, “A lot of plants have significance in their meanings. Dahlias mean grace, kindness, and commitment. There is one person in this audience who I think that’s particularly relevant to – wouldn’t you say Shelagh?”

Shelagh expressed her disbelief at the surprise, saying, “I was totally in the dark. I thought I’d got a free ticket to hear Joe talk about gardening. I was in shock – I still am – seeing a room full of people I knew. I was really flattered and humbled, I suppose, because I never do anything for recognition.”

Having dedicated her life to community service, Shelagh has fostered children for 15 years, later adopting two. In 1975, she founded a playgroup for children aged three to five, which she ran for two decades. Additionally, she established a youth club for older children, which she managed for six years. Her commitment to community governance is evident in her two decades as chairman of the parish council and her long-standing role on the village hall committee.

Under her leadership, the village hall saw significant improvements, including two extensions and extensive refurbishments. Shelagh has also been a driving force behind numerous pantomimes, a personal passion, contributing to costume creation and organization over the years.

Friends of Shelagh took the opportunity to celebrate her on the show, describing her as an “amazing person.” One friend remarked, “She’s made a 100 percent difference in the village, and if there are more people in Collyweston like Shelagh, the village would be perfect.” Another added, “She will do anything for anybody and she doesn’t ask for reward or to be thanked. She just does it because she’s just Shelagh.”

Reflecting on her work with children, a friend noted, “Shelagh is very good with children. She would lead them in the right path.” Shelagh herself humbly attributed her achievements to teamwork, stating, “Thank you to everybody. Whatever I had done in the past was not just me; there were other people involved.”

The heartfelt tribute on *The One Show* has highlighted not only Shelagh’s contributions but also the spirit of community that thrives in Collyweston. To watch the segment featuring Shelagh, viewers can visit BBC iPlayer.