Unsung heroes honour at British Empire Medal presentation

THREE community heroes were rewarded for their good works this week when they were presented with the British Empire Medal.
Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire Andrew Coombe recently presented the British Empire Medal to three Rotherham recipients. David Woodward (second left), Brian Yeoman (centre) and Michael Speight were awarded the medal at a ceremony at the Town Hall attended by the Mayor of Rotherham Cllr Alan Buckley. 1842808-3Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire Andrew Coombe recently presented the British Empire Medal to three Rotherham recipients. David Woodward (second left), Brian Yeoman (centre) and Michael Speight were awarded the medal at a ceremony at the Town Hall attended by the Mayor of Rotherham Cllr Alan Buckley. 1842808-3
Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire Andrew Coombe recently presented the British Empire Medal to three Rotherham recipients. David Woodward (second left), Brian Yeoman (centre) and Michael Speight were awarded the medal at a ceremony at the Town Hall attended by the Mayor of Rotherham Cllr Alan Buckley. 1842808-3

Michael Speight, David Woodward and Brian Yeoman picked up their BEMs from Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire Andrew Coombe, in a ceremony at Rotherham Town Hall on Monday.

Mr Yeoman was given the award for his services to Lions Clubs International and the community of Bramley and Wickersley.

The great-grandfather helped form Bramley and Wickersley Lions in 2011, but originally joined the Lions in Middlesex in 1974.

He has been president of the Bramley and Wickersley branch but also held the positions of district governor and convention officer for the Lions in the past.

Mr Speight, of Whiston, was recognised after volunteering with Parkinsons UK for 19 years and serving as a governor for 20 years at St Bedes Catholic Primary School in Kimberworth.

The JobCentre manager said he had become involved with the Rotherham branch of Parkinsons UK when a friend was fund-raising for a new scanner and is now branch secretary.

Rotherham Hockey Club president Mr Woodward was awarded the BEM for services to youth hockey in South Yorkshire.

His inclusion the Queen’s New Year’s Honours completed a hat-trick of celebrations for the club, which marked its 90th anniversary in 2017 and returned home after four years in Sheffield with a new pitch at Brinsworth.

Mr Woodward (74), pictured, of Meadowbank Road, is also development manager and youth co-ordinator at the club and has chaired the South Yorkshire Hockey Development Group since its inception in 2002.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Rotherham, Cllr Alan Buckley and Mrs Sandra Buckley, oversaw the presentation.

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