His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner was delighted to be able to present four Shropshire residents with their British Empire Medals awarded in the King’s Birthday Honours at an investiture ceremony held at Lilleshall House, Newport courtesy of Telford & Wrekin Council.
Mrs Sally Johnson
Founder of The Harry Johnson Trust. For charitable services to children with cancer. The HJT supports young people and their families following a cancer diagnosis.
Mr Eric Smith
For services to Radio and to the Community in Shropshire. Eric is well known having previously presented the breakfast show on BBC Radio Shropshire and performing each year in pantomime at Theatre Severn. Eric has also hosted community events across the County including the popular Carols in the Square.
Mrs Marion Micklewright
Founder and Manager, Shropshire Cat Rescue. For services to feline welfare. Shropshire Cat Rescue provides shelter, food and veterinary care for homeless, stray, abandoned and unwanted cats and kittens and rehoming where possible.
Mr Gwynne Goodfield
Tax specialist programme recruitment lead, HMRC. For services to graduate recruitment and to sport.
Following the The ceremony there was a splendid afternoon tea with the recipients and their families together with Vice Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Jenny Wynn and Deputy Lieutenants Mrs Nicola Kershaw, Mr Gareth Williams, and Colonel Mark Cuthbert-Brown CBE.
In a separate presentation ceremony, surrounded by family and friends at the Hundred House, The Lord-Lieutenant was delighted to present Paul Sanderson, former secretary of Telford Athletic Club with his BEM for his services to athletics and the community in Telford & Wrekin.
A former head teacher of Ladygrove Primary School in Telford, Mr Sanderson moved to the county in 1974 where he introduced several athletics events, races and competitions for young people.
Mr Sanderson went on to introduce the Wrekin Fell Race, the Telford Sexarathon, was a founder of Telford Athletic Club and was nominated as a baton bearer for The Queen’s Baton Relay in 2022.
In 2020, Mr Sanderson scooped up the England Athletics Services to Athletics award for his services to Telford Athletic Club.