Freemasons and Mum receive the British Empire Medal.
Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in Somerset, the Lord Lieutenant, Annie Maw, presented twenty recipients of the British Empire Medal with their awards at a ceremony held at the Shepton Mallet Showground on Saturday 29th August. This was a unique occasion, normally there are only five recipients of the BEM in the honours list but Covid lockdowns have prevented several presentations from happening. The Bath and West Showgound kindly hosted the event where the twenty, including two distinguished Somerset Freemasons and the mother of a Freemason, finally received their award from the Lord Lieutenant. The ceremony was attended by family members and our own PGM David Medlock who is one of the Deputy Lord Lieutenants of the county.
Mrs Marjorie Covey is the Mother of W.Bro Alan Covey PAGDC, a member of Unanimity and Sincerety Lodge No 261. W.Bro Peter Elmont PAGDC of the King Alfred Lodge No 3169 was responsible for the introduction of Teddies for Loving Care in the Province of Somerset. W.Bro Barrie Palmer P.PrJGW is a member of Emergency Services Lodge No 9391 and a member of the Provincial Membership team.
It’s obvious from the précis of their individual citations shown here that all three are very worthy recipients of the BEM. Many congratulations from the Brethren of Somerset.
Mrs Marjorie Elizabeth Thelma Covey
Marjorie Covey joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during the Second World War in her late teens and was stationed at RAF St Athan. She moved to Somerset some 40 years ago and has been active in her community ever since. A standard bearer for the Royal British Legion, she ran the local poppy appeal and is also a welfare officer for the RBL. Among other activities, she has organised a lunch club at the Northfield Centre and a similar event on behalf of Help the Aged. She is also a generous fund raiser for a number of charities. The BEM is awarded for services to the local community in Wellington, Somerset
W.Bro Peter William Elmont
Peter Elmont has volunteered on behalf of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute for over 25 years, His most notable project was to successfully lead the fundraising for a new lifeboat station in Weston Super Mare. His energy and desire to do the best for the RNLI has meant that for many years Weston has been one of the charities leading fund raising branches. He initiated the popular and successful Lifeboat week in Weston. He is also a supporter of the Weston Carnival Club and has co-ordinated the Teddy Bear Scheme supporting children admitted to hospital. He is one of the most prolific RNLI fundraisers in the South West and is awarded the BEM for charitable services to Marine Safety
W.Bro Barrie Stuart Palmer
Barrie Palmer was the founder and Chairman of SURE, the Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment. He has tirelessly worked to ensure a treatment centre could be opened in Taunton to avoid the lengthy journey to Bristol for Somerset cancer sufferers. He has organised many fundraising events and his efforts eventually saw the Beacon Centre open at Musgrove Park Hospital in 2009. Funds raised by SURE have ultimately equipped the Beacon Centre to become a National Centre of Excellence. He receives his BEM for services to cancer treatment.
