South Holland councillor and Spalding community campaigner Jan Whitbourn to receive British Empire Medal… just like her dad
A councillor and campaigner admitted she was ‘shocked’ to be named in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Jan Whitbourn will receive a British Empire Medal for services to the community and Spalding and South Holland, it was announced today (Friday).
And she won’t be the first person in her family to receive the accolade, with her father Sydney Garnett a previous recipient.
“I was absolutely shocked to receive the call to say that I was going to receive the British Empire Medal,” said Jan, the vice-chairman of South Holland District Council, who represents the Wygate ward and is well known for her work with the area’s veterans, including serving as vice-chairman of the Spalding Royal British Legion.
“My father received this medal many years ago so it means more than anyone could know. He would be so very proud to know I had received this award.
“I remember, all those years ago when I went with my family for my father to receive his British Empire Medal, it meant so much to the whole family, I have never forgotten it.
“It means more to receive this award than anyone could ever imagine, so I would just like to thank those who nominated be from the bottom of my heart.
Other Lincolnshire and Rutland people recognised in the list“I would never have expected to receive anything like this, but I am just so incredibly proud and thankful.”
For more than 20 years, Jan’s life has been dedicated to volunteering and working with others to make the community a better place to live, adding: “It is genuinely what I wake up for every morning.”
Ten years ago Jan set up the Pride of South Holland Awards because she was ‘passionate about ensuring those who work hard in our community receive recognition for their efforts’.
“I see so many nominations every year and it is incredibly humbling to read the nominations to find out why each nominee has been put forward,” Jan added.
“I never thought about receiving recognition for myself. I am just so surprised but incredibly grateful that someone has taken so much time to do this (nominate me), it is amazing.”
One of Jan’s major recent accomplishments was playing a key role in the campaign to ensure Spalding’s railway station remained manned, following plans to replace workers with ticket machines.
“Since hearing about my Award I have tried to think back about the volunteering I have done in the last 20 years, many projects I had forgotten all about,” jan added.
“It has made me wonder where it all began. Working for the Education Business Partnership, organising over 90 stands for the careers fairs got me involved with the businesses around South Holland, it was so much fun.
“Setting up Partners in Reading and running the local radio station, Tulip Radio, took over my life. It gave me experience of Bid Writing which is something we all need right now and much more.”
Jan also helped for years with floats and the running the Flower Queen competitions, as well as charity fun days, fashion shows, bingo events and flower arranging evenings to raise funds for the Burns Unit Appeal Fund.
“The Veterans and the parades have been the highlight of my work in the last few years, which I have enjoyed,” she added.
“We get together regularly and running a knitting group has made them all proud on Remembrance Parades, seeing all the work that has been done to decorate the town.
“Covid took its toll but delivering food to everyone every day kept me busy and seeing the vulnerable made it all worthwhile.
“Becoming a Councillor has given me a boost to do more in the community, and working with Sir John Hayes has been a pleasure.”
Jan’s tireless devotion to the community has also seen her act as co-ordinator of the Community Speed Watch.
“South Holland changed my life for the better,” she added.
