Five Staffordshire residents have been awarded prestigious British Empire Medals in recognition of their outstanding community service. Phillip John Charles, Richard Graham Hill, Russell David Clark, Joan Catherine Fairley and Susan Jane Bohanan received their medals at a ceremony on Wednesday at County Buildings in Stafford. The Lord-Lieutenant, Professor Liz Barnes CBE, presented the awards on behalf of His Majesty the King, with family and friends present.
The recipients were recognised for their contributions across Staffordshire, Abbots Bromley and Sutton Coldfield. Their work spans charity support, higher education and community assistance. Russell Clark, who works with vulnerable communities through Keele University's Language Centre, said he was "deeply humbled" by the honour.
Joan Fairley highlighted her role supporting St Giles Hospice and helping refugees from Ukraine. She credited her family and church community for making the recognition possible. Her work demonstrates the breadth of service recognised at the Stafford ceremony.
The ceremony also marked a significant moment for Valarie Ann Sims, who became the first recipient in Staffordshire of the Elizabeth Emblem. This official recognition honours the next of kin of public servants killed in the line of duty. The emblem recognised her late husband, Sub Officer George Barrett of West Midlands Fire Service, who was killed in a road traffic collision while on duty in 1976.