Angela awarded British Empire Medal

Our Chair, Angela Money has finally had her tireless work within the Newbury and Thatcham community recognised by Queen and Country!  She was one of only 292 people to be awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2015 New Year Honours list.  On Friday 27th March Angela was presented with her medal by the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire.


(Photograph shows Angela receiving her British Empire Medal from the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire.  The award is for services to policing and community safety in Newbury and Thatcham).


The British Empire Medal, which may be awarded posthumously, is granted in recognition of meritorious civil or military service.  Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters 'BEM' which Angela is proud to do so.

The honour is divided into civil and military medals in a similar way to the Order of the British Empire itself.  Like the ribbons used for other classes of the Order of the British Empire, the ribbon of the British Empire Medal is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges, with the addition of a pearl-grey stripe for the military division. 



(Photograph shows Angela's actual medal).


Between 1993 and 2012, the British Empire Medal was not awarded to subjects of the UK, although it continued to be awarded in some Commonwealth realms during that time.  Following the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Prime Minister David Cameron announced that the BEM would once again be issued in the UK, but only in the civil divison. 

The reintroduction of the BEM continues to provide the opportunity to recognise a large number of people who are actively engaged in charitable or voluntary work within their local community.



(Photograph shows Angela's Citation).

Now, Angela may not thank me for this, but I can exclusively reveal that shortly after these formal photographs were taken, and no doubt amidst much excitement and celebration, Angela's medal managed to dislodge itself from where the Lord Lieutenant had placed it and drop onto a solid tile floor.  Angela is now the very proud wearer of a slightly dented British Empire Medal!!! 

Jolly well done Angela and we love you.