Stanton villager June Miller awarded BEM in New Year Honours

June Miller, who has lived in Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, since she married baker Don Miller in 1961, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the village community. 

Mrs Miller joined Stanton Parish Council in 1971 and worked on several projects throughout the years including leading the purchase of land to extend the recreation ground to create a dedicated full-sized pitch for Stanton football club in 1993. 

June Miller, 89, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honour's list. (Image: Stanton Parish Council)

"It is a great honour to receive this," she said.

"I must say that it was a great pleasure to be on the parish council and I really enjoyed it.

"I have been on lots of different committees in the village, I think I have been on nearly every committee except the football club.

"I have lived here over 60 years and have been very much involved in village life. It is my home and when you live in a place you like to be involved in everything, don't you?" she added.

Mrs Miller, who is now widowed after her husband Don died almost 10 years ago, still regularly attends WI meetings and the village church. 

She said her hope to improve the community was what inspired her to keep working as a councillor for half a century. 

June Miller, 89, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honour's list. (Image: Stanton Parish Council)

"When you live somewhere you hope to have a say in what is happening with the village. It is no good grumbling if you don't get involved in things," she said.

"I don't know who put me forward for this, you're not told, but I would really like to know. It is a very great honour to be chosen."

If you would like to nominate someone for a National Honour, help and guidance is provided by the Suffolk Lieutenancy Office via lieutenancyoffice@suffolk.gov.uk or www.suffolk-lieutenancy.org.uk.