Prestigious presentation at Lancaster Castle will honour BEM recipients

Wednesday, 30 April 2025 10:57

By Central Radio News

On Friday, the historic setting of Lancaster Castle will host a prestigious Honours ceremony.

In the magnificent Shire Hall, the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Amanda Parker, will be presenting British Empire Medals (BEM) on behalf of His Majesty The King to recipients from Lancashire commended in the recent New Year Honours List for services to their local community.

The BEM recipients on the evening will be:

Barbara Brook from Poulton-le-Fylde, Volunteer, Girls Friendly Society, for her services to Girls, Young Women and to the community in Layton, Blackpool

Andrew Clarke from Thornton Cleveleys for his services to Cancer charities

Major Scott Fisher, Longridge, for his services to charitable fundraising for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Nicholas Hartshorne-Evans from Hapton for his services to people with Chronic Heart Failure

Barry Hyde from Bacup for his services to the community in Rossendale

Oliver Wood from Whitestake, near Preston, for his services to Young People.

Also attending on the evening will be two BEM recipients who were unable to receive their awards due to the Covid Pandemic, Louise Cooper DL, Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire and District Scout Commissioner, for her services to children and young people in Rossendale and Michael Grime for his services to Scouts and to the community in Darwen.

Mrs Parker said: "It is an honour to present these British Empire Medals on behalf of His Majesty King Charles to the distinguished individuals from Lancashire, in recognition of their exceptional service and invaluable contributions to our county."

Joining Mrs Parker on the evening will be the Constable of the Castle, Pam Barker, the Chairman of Lancashire County Council, Tim Ashton and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Brigadier (Retd) Peter Rafferty, as well as friends and family of the medal recipients and a number of Deputy Lieutenants from across the county.