Two community volunteers from Wokingham were acknowledged for going above and beyond as they were presented with their Honours by the Lord Lieutenant for the Royal County, in Windsor this month.

Mr Andrew Try, Lord Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire presented the Honours, on behalf of HM The King on Tuesday 5 March at Windsor Guildhall to the group of recipients who appeared on the Birthday Honors List 2023 and the New Year Honour’s list 2024.

Jamie Thurston BEM, the founder of kindness charity 52 Lives, was awarded for her work within services to the community in Berkshire in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours list.

Wokingham-born, James Gillett, also received his CBE at Windsor Guildhall after he appeared on the 2024 New Year’s Honors List.

James is the Vice Chancellor of the University of Reading and received the award for Services to the Community in Charvil and Reading.

The British honours system is one of the oldest in the world. It has evolved over 650 years as the country has found alternative means of recognising merit, gallantry, and service. Honours’ lists are published twice a year: at New Year and in mid-June.

The list contains a wide variety of people from different backgrounds across the UK.

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was instituted in 1917 by King George V to recognise all levels of service to the country during the war. It has evolved to embrace service and achievement in all fields and honours individuals in both civilian and military life.

This honour was brought back to recognise and reward the dedication and hard work that so many people provide to their communities.

The medal rewards achievements or contributions of very 'hands-on' service to the community in a local geographical area. This might take the form of sustained commitment in support of local charitable and/or voluntary activity, or innovative work that has delivered real impact.

Alongside James and Jamie, The Reverand Christine Blackman from Reading and Shula Tajima were also presented with their honours for services to the community.

Mr Try also presented the King’s Awards for Voluntary Service, a major national honour, to 2 winning Berkshire groups awarded in November 2023.

The prestigious UK national honour is the equivalent of an MBE for groups of volunteers who work in their local community for the benefit of others. It sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of the Award winners judged to be of the highest standard.