King's Birthday Honours for Staffordshire

A wide range of Staffordshire residents have been honoured by His Majesty the King.

Pillars of the local community and representatives of the Royal British Legion, Citizens Advice and youth voluntary services all receive MBEs.

Also receiving an MBE is BBC Midlands Today presenter Nick Owen for his services to charity and broadcasting, while sports coaches, a conservation volunteer and a community First Responder have been recognised too.

Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:

It is always humbling to hear how Staffordshire residents devote many years – and in some cases decades - of their lives to helping others and making their communities a better place.

Congratulations to every one of them and after working unheralded for so long, I’m pleased to see them recognised in this very public way.”

Those recognised include Rugeley resident Tony Matthews who has volunteered at the National Memorial Arboretum for nearly 20 years and was made an MBE; Sue Nicholls, who served nearly 40 years in leadership roles in Staffordshire’s Citizens Advice service, received an MBE; and Linda Forrister, of Leek, received a BEM for coaching and judging gymnastics local and nationally for more than 50 years.

Also honoured are Tony Ward, of Codsall, who received a BEM for his 50 years as a swimming and para swimming coach and competition official nationally and internationally; Hilary Dowson was awarded a BEM after volunteering for the First Responders service in Ellastone for more than 20 years; and Phil Pusey has received an MBE for his contribution as Chief Executive of the Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services, Chair of Burton Albion Community Trust and Trustee of Burton YMCA and Eagles Nest project.

Mr Ian Dudson CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, said:

The concept of service has always underpinned His Majesty’s public life and it is no surprise to see so many people who help others honoured.

On behalf of his Majesty I would like to congratulate each and every person for this special recognition.”

Residents of Staffordshire who have received an honour include: 

• MBE for Anthony Adrian Matthews, of Rugeley, a volunteer at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) and branch Chair of the Royal British Legion, for voluntary services to veterans;
• MBE for Susan Ann Nicholls, of Stone, lately the Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Staffordshire South West, for services to the community in Staffordshire;
• MBE for Nicholas Corbishley Owen, of Kinver, for services to broadcasting and charity;
• MBE for Philip Edward Pusey, of Burton, Chief Executive of the Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services, for services to the community in Burton and Staffordshire;
• MBE for Rosemary Rees, of Cannock, Head of Engagement and Skills at the Midlands Metro Alliance, and, lately, member of West Midlands Women in Rail Steering Committee for services to diversity and inclusion in the rail industry;
• MBE for Valerie Helen Riley, of Leek, volunteer conservation warden for the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, for services to wildlife conservation;
• BEM for Dr Mary Bradshaw, of Newcastle, lecturer at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, for services to Further Education;
• BEM for Hilary Dowson, of Ellastone, for services to the community in Ellastone;
• BEM for Linda Mary Forrister, of Leek, for services to British Gymnastics;
• BEM for Thomas Edward Noblett, of Stafford, lately a councillor for Lapley, Stretton and Wheaton Aston Parish Council, for services to local government;
• BEM for Elizabeth Ruth Timmis, from near Ashley, for services to the local community;
• BEM for Anthony Michael Ward, of Codsall, a swimming technical officer, for services to swimming and para swimming.