Kings Birthday Honours for Staffordshire residents

Staffordshire residents have been named by King Charles in his Birthday Honours.

Foster parents, a volunteer fireman and the former GB ice hockey captain are among the Staffordshire residents recognised in His Majesty The King’s New Year’s Honours List.

Residents have been honoured with OBEs, MBEs and BEMs for their services to sport, education and the community in Staffordshire.

They include BEMs for Tamworth foster parents Elisabeth and Gavin Brownlees, an MBE for Pattingham ice hockey star Saffron Lane, and a BEM for volunteer fireman Andrew Buttery, of High Offley, near Eccleshall.

Also honoured were Cannock resident Michael Charles Mellor BEM, who coordinates The Miners Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum and was made an OBE; John Ian Davies, of Stafford, Associate Professor of Biomedical Science Practice at Staffordshire University, received an MBE; and Graham Lee, of Tamworth was awarded an MBE for his services to Heritage Railway Preservation and charity.

Sean Whinray, senior support officer at the Staffordshire Lieutenancy, was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order for services to the Crown.

Ian Cooper, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:

Staffordshire is a county rich in human talent and I am delighted to see residents’ abilities, hard work and achievement recognised in this way.

Congratulations to each person, and to their families, and I would thank them on behalf of the rest of the community for their contribution they have made.”

Sir Ian Dudson KCVO CBE retires next month from his position of HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, having held the role since 2012. He said:

Year after year, I am invariably impressed by the dedication and determination to make a difference of those singled out.

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:

• MVO for Sean Allen Whinray, of Stafford, senior support officer at the Staffordshire Lieutenancy, for services to the Crown;
• OBE for Michael Charles Mellor BEM, of Cannock, coordinator of the Miners Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum, for services to Heritage and to recognition of the mining community;
• OBE for Dr Diane Swift, of Burton-on-Trent, Trustee of The Creative Learning Partnership Trust, for services to Education;
• MBE for Prof Sharon Arkell, of Burntwood, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing at the University of Wolverhampton, for services to Higher Education;
• MBE for Rachel Daly, of Tamworth, for services to Association Football;
• MBE for John Ian Davies, of Stafford, Associate Professor of Biomedical Science Practice at Staffordshire University, for services to the NHS Diagnostic Pathology Service and Biomedical Science Education;
• MBE for Saffron Fern Lane, of Pattingham, lately captain of the GB Women’s Ice Hockey team, for services to Sport;
• MBE for Graham Lee, of Tamworth, Chair of the Statfold Narrow Gauge Museum Trust Ltd, for services to Heritage Railway Preservation and charity;
• MBE for Gareth Brian Moss, of Alrewas, Chair of Trustees for the John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust, for services to education;
• BEM for Elisabeth Brownlees, of Tamworth, foster carer for the Birmingham Children’s Trust, for services to Foster Care;
• BEM for Gavin Brownlees, of Tamworth, foster carer for the Birmingham Children’s Trust, for services to Foster Care;
• BEM for Andrew David Buttery, of High Offley, volunteer for Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, for services to the community in Staffordshire;
• BEM for Valerie Neale, of Stonnall, for services to the community in Stonnall;
• BEM for Tracey O’Flaherty, of Stafford, for services to the community in Staffordshire.