Ed Sheeran’s music teacher receives BEM New Year Honour | CPT PPP Coverage

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In Suffolk, ten recipients were honoured, representing the charity sector, as well as heritage, forestry and education, while in north Essex seven people received awards from charities, scout troops and the emergency services. 

Richard Hanley, who used to teach the Shape of You singer at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham, has received the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to education.

Ed Sheeran teaches pupils during a visit to Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham (Image: Su Anderson)

In 2019, he told the EADT about teaching the superstar and described how even as a school pupil, his life was dominated by ‘music, music, music.’ 

The highest honour was received by Joanna Todd, from Felixstowe, who was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to victims of domestic abuse.

Fiona Ellis, co-founder of Survivors in Transition (Image: Archant)

Fiona Ellis, chief executive of Survivors in Transition, received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her work with the charity, which provides services to survivors of childhood sexual abuse. 

The Ipswich-based organisation started life more than ten years ago as a new drop-in centre offering support for women who had survived child sexual abuse and has since grown into an acclaimed charity with a team of support centre staff providing therapy and counselling to all adults. 

Ms Ellis founded Survivors in Transition with Clare Wilson after recognising a gap in services for adults living with the trauma of child sexual abuse. 

By 2020, the charity employed 10 staff and utilised the services of about 20 sub-contracted therapists, while still working to improve wider understanding and perception around the issue of sexual abuse in childhood. 

In the first 10 years, a total of 3,123 people were in contact with Survivors in Transition. 

There were three recipients of the Member of the British Empire (MBE) honour, including Aldeburgh volunteer James Alexander for services to the natural environment and Dr Catherine Lee, from Acton, for services to equality in education. 

Saxmundham resident Jenifer White was also made an MBE for services to heritage and historic parks and gardens in her role as historic landscape adviser with Historic England. 

As well as Mr Hanley, other local BEM honours were handed to Malcolm Finch, from Brandon, for services to forestry, Bury St Edmunds man Eric Hopes for services to policing and Sylvia Knights from Bungay for services to public libraries in her role as a trustee of Suffolk Libraries. 

BEM recipient Eric Hopes with Rachel Kearton, chief constable of Suffolk Police (Image: Suffolk Police)

Ian Toulson, from Bury St Edmunds, also received the BEM for services to the community in Walsham-le-Willows. 

Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, High Sheriff of Suffolk, pictured during a Suffolk Medal investiture ceremony in June 2022 (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

The High Sheriff of Suffolk, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, said: “I applaud and congratulate those in Suffolk who have received honours in the King’s New Year’s Honours list for their achievements and their service. 

“In my time as High Sheriff what has struck me more than anything else on my tours around the county is the sheer number of people – thousand upon thousand- who don’t seek the limelight but spend great parts of their lives dedicated to others, whether as public servants, caring for loved ones or helping strangers less fortunate than themselves. 

“It was humbling to witness this and, of course, those honoured are worthy representatives of this great groundswell of selflessness. 

“This is a particularly difficult time for many and therefore their superb example shines as a beacon of light for us all!”