Well-known to generations of Ross youngsters through his work at John Kyrle High School and the Scouts, Bryan Jones received his BEM from the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, the Dowager Countess of Darnley, at a Sunday service at the church he attends regularly.

Family, friends, churchgoers and community members were all able to celebrate with Bryan as he was presented with his BEM at a packed service at St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye.

Rev Sarah Jones, Rector of Ross welcomed everyone to the church service. She said how pleased everyone at St Mary’s was that Bryan had decided on having the presentation at the church.

Paul Deneen, a friend and someone who has known Bryan for many years, paid tribute to Bryan at the service. He said: “We were all absolutely delighted to hear that Bryan had been recognised for all of his voluntary work within the community. This included his work at St Mary’s Church, for the Scouting movement in Herefordshire, as Chair of the Almshouses Committee in Ross, and for his and Sue’s superb fundraising efforts for the school in Busoga, Uganda.”

Lady Darnley, Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire also paid tribute to his work and said: “I am so pleased to be able to present this British Empire Medal on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen. You have done such excellent work and you are a role model for others and the award is richly deserved, very well done!”

Bryan Jones BEM, took the opportunity to thank Sue, his wife, and his family for all their support, and dedicated the award to ‘all those who volunteer and work with young people in the local community.’

He said: “I would also like to add my personal thanks to Rev Sarah Jones, Paul Eward, Paul Deneen, Joyce Thomas, John Setchfield, Dennis Moore and Gareth Hughes and the Mayor, Nigel Gibbs and friends and the community for their support, with particular thanks to Lady Darnley for attending and making the event so very special.”

See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here