The Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston, was delighted to present five Suffolk residents with the Suffolk Medal at an Awards Ceremony, which took place as part of the Suffolk Day celebrations on 21 June, at the wonderful setting of Framlingham Castle.
The Suffolk Medal was launched in 2019 to champion exceptional people in the County. Nominations are made by the general public and decided upon by a panel of County Leaders.
The Suffolk Medals were presented to:
Boshor Ali – for his work in building community cohesion regardless of peoples faith or ethnic origin. He is Secretary of the Shajalal Mosque and Islamic Centre in Ipswich.
James Buckle, DL – a farmer and philanthropist, for his work as past Chairman of the Suffolk Community Foundation and The Porch Project a Hadleigh based young peoples charity.
Maggi Hambling, CBE – for her work as an artist, campaigner and philanthropist. Maggi actually designed the Suffolk Medal and was delighted to be recognised and awarded it back. Maggie’s work has received local, national and international acclaim and her Scallop sculpture in Aldeburgh has become one of Suffolk’s iconic landmarks.
Dame Clare Marx, DBE, DL – a former leader at Ipswich Hospital who served as a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon for three decades. In her outstanding career Dame Clare was also the first Woman to become President of the British Orthopaedic Association, President of the Royal College of Surgeons and Chairman of the General Medical Council. Dame Clare is renowned for her contribution in mentoring and inspiring young people to join the medical profession and raising medical standards across the UK.
Nigel Oakley – for his lifelong passion and commitment to preserving the Suffolk Horse, an icon of Suffolk and a Category One critically endangered breed. Nigel has raised awareness about the the plight of the Suffolk Horse to a national audience, from school children to HM The Queen. He has owned, bred, worked and shown the Suffolk Horse, helping to safeguard the breed for future generations.
The Lord-Lieutenant commented, ‘It is a great honour for me to present this medal to these very worthy receipients, who have not only made a different to our County, but also the wider world’.