King's medals bestowed on seven selfless Suffolk residents

On Friday, seven excited recipients of the British Empire Medal arrived for a grand awards ceremony in Euston.

In December last year, it was announced that 13 Suffolk residents had been awarded a national Honour as part of the King's New Year's Honours list, in recognition of their exceptional contribution to communities, charities and other organisations.

Of these, seven Suffolk residents were awarded a British Empire Medal, which by tradition is presented to them by the King's representative and the county's Lord-Lieutenant, rather than from the King himself.

In Suffolk, the Lord-Lieutenant is Clare, Countess of Euston, who was delighted to pass on her own congratulations to the proud recipients.

“It is so heart-warming to hear their stories and the incredible work and contributions they have all made across our county,” she said.

“I believe we are lucky to have the honours system, which helps to reward and recognise people for the amazing work they do.

“I hope others will be inspired to look to their own communities and nominate those within it who deserve recognition and thanks for their exceptional work."

Who were the recipients of the seven British Empire Medals?

Enid Bacon

Mrs Bacon is an early years teacher, affectionately known to many as ‘Topsy’. In 1974, she and a group of friends set up the Beck Row Pre-School to teach children in the village from the age of three up to primary school age and she has been involved with the school ever since.

Mrs Enid Bacon, the founder, Beck Row Preschool, Bury St Edmunds, was recognised for her services to early education. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

William Bulstrode

Mr Bulstrode, a businessman from Framlingham, has been hard at work helping to organise big events in the town over the years, including celebrations for the Olympics and the late Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

Most recently, following flooding from Storm Babet in October last year, Mr Bulstrode provided a new home at his shop for the town's Post Office, which was flooded out of its Riverside premises.

Mr William Michael Bulstrode (standing to the right of the Lord-Lieutenant) was recognised his services to the community in Framlingham. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

June Miller

Mrs Miller, 89, lives in Stanton near Bury St Edmunds, and has served as a parish councillor for 50 years, having joined Stanton Parish Council in 1971.

During that time, she has 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. She still regularly attends WI meetings and the village church.

Mrs June Miller was recognised for her services to the community in Stanton. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Bryony Peall

Mrs Peall, from Saxmundham, was recognised for masterminding the community’s emergency response during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Mrs Peall was engaged by Saxmundham Town Council in March 2020, to work with newly formed local charity IP17 Good Neighbour Scheme (IP17GNS).

She went on to recruit and organise a network of 150 local volunteers helping the most vulnerable members of the community. This included a prescription collection and delivery service, shopping, emergency food parcels and a telephone support service to help combat loneliness, making sure that nobody in the community was left to struggle alone.

Bryony Peall was recognised for services to the community in Saxmundham during the Covid 19 pandemic. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The Reverand Simone Ramacci

Mr Ramacci is an accredited minister with emergency service and University Chaplaincy experience based in Ipswich. He was recognised for services to St John Ambulance and the community in Suffolk during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Reverend Simone Ramacci was recognised for services to St John Ambulance and the community in Suffolk during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Janet Dicks

A stalwart of the town of Hadleigh, Mrs Janet Mary Dicks was recognised for her services to the community.

Mrs Janet Mary Dicks was recognised for her services to the community in Hadleigh. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Stephen Vale

Mr Vale was commended by the Lord-Lieutenant for his services to his local community in West Stow, not far from Bury St Edmunds in West Suffolk.

Mr Vale was commended by the Lord-Lieutenant for his services to his local community in West Stow, not far from Bury St Edmunds in West Suffolk. (Image: Charlotte Bond)