A DINAS Powys woman has won an award for editing a magazine just a year after being appointed to the role.

Merry Metcalf was praised for her work editing 'Bwrdd', a magazine for Mensa members in Wales, during a glittering awards ceremony.

Merry, of Sir Ivor Place, was presented with the Standard of Excellence award for the magazine’s presentation by the organisation’s chief executive, John Stevenage.

The ceremony, at a hotel in Solihull, was attended by Mensa regional officers and regional magazine editors from across the UK.

Merry said she was very pleased to have won the award – the first for the magazine for at least four years.

“I am particularly pleased to have won this for Wales, as the annual gathering of Mensa members from all over the UK is being held in Cardiff later this year and it is a real feather in the cap for us,” she said.

“We are always keen to attract more members to Mensa, the organisation for people with high IQs (intelligence quotient).

"We hold meetings in Penarth on the second Wednesday of each month. In May, this will be at Coffee #1, 10.30am until 11.30am, and anyone interested in the group is welcome to come along.

"Just look for the yellow Mensa emblem or a copy of the Mensa magazine on the table or contact me on 029 21400098.

“It’s reckoned that two per cent of the population qualifies, so there’s plenty of scope for more people from Penarth to join."

She added: “There are many misconceptions about Mensa, but it’s basically a group of people from all walks of life who enjoy getting together for a good chat.

“Members from Penarth will be playing our full part in the Cardiff event this September, assisting in the organisation of events and helping people find their way around.”

Long-standing Mensa member Rowland Davies, of Grove Place, Penarth, added: “We are always keen to have more members. Anyone interested in joining is welcome to come along to one of our coffee mornings to meet us or contact the head office on 01902 772771 for more information.

“We are hoping that the Cardiff annual gathering will draw attention to Mensa and encourage more people to join."