Castle date for stalwarts

Christine Fitton from Bispham with Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire Colonel Alan Jolley at the BEM presentation.

Christine Fitton, from Bispham, and Ian Angus, from Kirkham, were among six people who received the BEM (Medallist of the Order of the British Empire) at a ceremony at Lancaster Castle on Friday.

Mrs Fitton, 68, has been involved in many aspects of scouting in the Blackpool District since joining the movement as an assistant cub leader in 1966.

She worked her way up to become district commissioner, and has played a role in helping produce the Blackpool Gang Show since 1976.

Ian Angus, from Kirkham, with Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire Colonel Alan Jolley at the BEM presentation.

Later this year, she will also mark 25 years as a magistrate on the Fylde Coast Bench.

Mrs Fitton said: “Scouting is like an extension of my family because I have spent so much time with the people involved, and it is a fantastic group of people and such a worthwhile organisation.

“My work as a magistrate has meant dealing with some very sensitive cases as a member of the family panel, but it is very rewarding when the outcome is right.

“I was shocked when I received my letter, and I feel more people should be rewarded because there are a lot of people who do good things in society.”

Mr Angus, 65, was recognised for voluntary and charitable services to policing.

He was the first volunteer to join the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Kirkham and rural Fylde and, to date, has given around 9,000 hours of voluntary service to the community.

He said: “When I retired, I decided I wanted to do some voluntary work and give something back to the community.

“I was astonished to receive the award but it is really nice to get some recognition.”

The BEM rewards an achievement or contribution of a very ‘hands-on’ service to the community in a local area.

Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire Colonel Alan Jolley made the presentations to the recipients whose names were announced in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Colonel Jolley said: “It is always humbling to present these national honours on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen to Lancashire people who have made such a contribution to the good of others.”

Other recipients of the award in Lancashire were Colin Bolton from Warton, near Lancaster; Coun Dorothy Farrington from Rossendale, Alan Gregory from Morecambe and Christine Rostron from Ormskirk.