Posted on Friday 24th October 2025
The five medal recipients, centre, visited County Buildings to receive their honours (recipients from left to right: Tracey O’Flaherty, Andrew David Buttery, Valerie Neale, Elisabeth Brownlees and Gavin Brownlees)
Five Staffordshire residents have been awarded prestigious personal Honours by the King for their invaluable contributions to their local communities.
The recipients attended a special ceremony on Tuesday 21 October, which was hosted by Paul Williams, Chairman of Staffordshire County Council, at County Buildings in Stafford. Medals were presented to the winners by the Lord-Lieutenant, Professor Liz Barnes CBE, on behalf of His Majesty the King.
The five recipients were:
- Mrs Elisabeth Brownlees - Services to Foster Care (Tamworth)
- Mr Gavin Brownlees - Services to Foster Care (Tamworth)
- Mr Andrew David Buttery – Services to the community of Staffordshire (Stafford)
- Mrs Valerie Neale – Services to the community of Stonnall, Staffordshire (Lichfield)
- Mrs Tracey O’Flaherty – Services to the community of Staffordshire (Stafford)
Professor Liz Barnes CBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, said:
“Since the British Empire Medal was reintroduced in 2012 to mark our late Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, it has become a significant and much-admired part of our Honours system, often uniquely recognising voluntary contributions at a very local community level.
“I am delighted that we now have another five recipients from the 2025 Birthday Honours List, whose wonderful contributions have been recognised.”
Paul Williams, Chairman of Staffordshire County Council, said:
“It was a great privilege for me to host these presentations and honour these fantastic people from Staffordshire, who have done so much for our communities.
“They have all made invaluable contributions in their services and it was a great pleasure to see them receive such prestigious recognition from His Majesty for their hard work given over many years.
“I am delighted and privileged to have presented their Medals on behalf of His Majesty The King.”
Medal recipient Andrew Buttery said:
“It came as a huge shock to receive notification of this award but naturally I feel very proud and honoured to have been nominated."
Tracey O’Flaherty, another winner of the award, said:
“I feel so honoured to receive the British Empire Medal. Living in a small rural village like Standon and Cotes Heath, it has always been important to me to bring people together and give children the chance to thrive. This recognition is really for the whole community.”
The winners were announced in the 2025 Birthday Honours lists.
More information on The King's Award for Voluntary Service can be found on its webpage. Individuals can be nominated for an award here.