As five Suffolk stars were honoured, the Queen’s Lord Lieutenant has called for more nominations to truly reflect the “fantastic” efforts of our county’s volunteers.
The New Year’s Honours British Empire Medals were officially awarded at a ceremony on Thursday at the home of Lady Clare, the Countess of Euston and Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk.
The five recipients all spoke of the honour and privilege to receive the medals, and none of them ever expected the tireless work they do in the community would lead to a medal from the queen.
Lady Clare said: “There are so many people in Suffolk who deserve this honour, we could have been awarding easily double as many.
“But the friends and family can be put off by the paperwork involved in nominating someone. I would love to see more people nominated so we can celebrate those that make Suffolk such a brilliant place to live.”
Andrew Butt, Ipswich
The first of the five BEM recipients was Andrew Butt, of Ipswich, for services to public safety. Lady Clare praised Mr Butt as a “shining example”.
He has 27 years of dedicated voluntary service, including his work for SERV Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, which delivers blood to medical facilities.
“It is very humbling,” he said. “You don’t ever think you will be given an honour like this, you just do your voluntary bits and help as much as you can.”
Isabel Green, Dalham
Isabel Green was awarded for services to the community in Dalham. She has dedicated 27 years supporting St Mary the Virgin Church in the village. Most recently she raised £100,000 after lead thieves stripped most of the roof from the church in 2014.
Lady Clare said she is a “true heroine”. Mrs Green said: “It is a very great privilege. I see it as just doing my job.”
Neville Pettitt, Bury St Edmunds
West Suffolk Wheelers chairman Neville Pettitt, from Bury St Edmunds, was honoured for his services to cycling and youth participation in cycling.
Lady Clare said: “Neville is a cycling genius. What is so amazing is his work in bringing new people into cycling, in particular children and those with learning disabilities.”
Mr Pettitt said: “It is truly a great honour. You never expect to get an award for doing something you love, enjoy and really believe in.”
Rodney Scott, Suffolk
Rodney Scott, former chairman of the Desert Rats Association, was awarded for his voluntary service to veterans.
Lady Clare said: “Rodney’s work is very close to my heart, as my grandfather was a Desert Rat.”
Mr Scott, who has also worked with the Suffolk Regiment Association, Royal British Legion and a range of other veteran societies, said: “I just feel so proud. When I got the letter I started crying, it sounds strange and others here have said they thought it might be hoax when they got their letters, but I was so honoured that I had been nominated.
“I do what I do because I enjoy working with the people I work with, I never did it thinking I would get a medal.
“It is also lovely to see everyone is here with their husbands and wives – none of us could have done the work we do without the support of them.”
Lucia Watson, Ipswich
Lucia Watson, of Ipswich, was honoured for her work with several charities.
Mrs Watson, who lives in Belstead Road in Ipswich, has dedicated 30 years to raising money for charity since moving to Suffolk from Switzerland 50 years ago.
Lady Clare said: “She does the most wonderful work in Ipswich, not just fundraising for UNICEF. I have been told by Age UK it is quite extraordinary the contribution she has made by volunteering in Suffolk.”
Mrs Watson said: “It is truly wonderful and a real honour. The other recipients are very deserving. We thought it was not real when we got told. I even received a letter from the Swiss ambassador congratulating me, which was wonderful.”
For Mrs Watson it has been a big year, with her and husband Robin also marking 50 years of marriage.
How to nominate your local heroes
The BEM was reinvented as an honour for community heroes in 2012. Lady Clare encouraged people to get their nominations in to celebrate the unsung heroes of Suffolk. She said the Suffolk Community Foundation are offering to help people with the paperwork to ensure more people are put forward. “I would like to see double as many people here next time,” added Lady Clare.
• For help nominating someone for a BEM, email suffolkhonours@gmail.com
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