Four outstanding Suffolk residents, recognised in the New Year’s 2020 Honours list were presented with their British Empire Medals by the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk at presentations across Suffolk in October.
The Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk presented four local heroes with their British Empire Medals at special, socially distanced Investiture across the County. The Coronavirus pandemic prohibited the usual formal gathering at Euston for the Investiture ceremony. With the Lockdown restrictions extending into the Autumn the Lord Lieutenant invested the recipients at four small, socially distanced events at either the recipients home or an alternative covid safe venue.
The British Empire Medals were presented to:
Mr Bryan Garnham for Services to fundraising and the Community in Bury St Edmunds. Mr Garnham has been a volunteer fundraiser for over 55 years and raised thousands of pounds for both the community and many charities, most noticeably Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Juliet Wiles received the BEM for Services to cricket. A former PE Teacher and cricket coach, Juliet has encouraged adults and children to participate in sport. She started the Shotley Ladies Cricket Club which has gone on to be part of the Suffolk T20 Development League and volunteered at the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019.
John Last received the BEM for Services to the Fire and Rescue Service and the Community in Suffolk. John became an on-call firefighter in the retained Fire Service when he was 19 and has continued to keep people safe for over 40 years. He has made a significant contribution to building collaborative relationships with other emergency services and has played a key role in building a single Police and Fire Service Station in Leiston.
Bill Parker, received the BEM for Services to Coastal Management. He has worked all in his life in the field of managing vulnerable coastlines and shaping a new vision for their management, both locally and nationally, notably in relation to climate change. He is recognised as a national exemplar in the field.
The Lord Lieutenant commented that all four were outstanding individuals who were a shining example of selflessness dedication to improving the lives of others and the environment.