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 bet.