Five Buckinghamshire residents who between them have dedicated a total of 138 years to good causes, were awarded British Empire Medals last week.

The prestigious award recognises their hard work and dedication to a variety of causes ranging from services to laboratory medicine and county cricket to works within their local communities.

The five individuals were Kevin Beaumont for services to minor county cricket, Ann Bradshaw for services to laboratory medicine, Rhiannon Lawrence for services to education, Kathleen Martin for services to the community in Chalfont St Giles and Cllr Graham Peart, for services to the community in High Wycombe.

The BEM recipients were presented with their medals by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher at a ceremony at Penn House on Tuesday, November 19.

British Empire Medals are awarded to individuals for actions worthy of recognition directly from The Queen.

Kevin Beaumont’s involvement with county cricket started in his teens and now spans more than 55 years. His interest in the game progressed from playing to umpiring. Kevin was founder member of the ECB Home Counties Umpire Panel, has been Secretary of Bucks County Cricket Club since 1988 and continues to umpire today in Premier League matches.

Anne Bradshaw has dedicated her career to studying and exploring the area of science concerned with diseases of the blood. She started out studying a bio-chemistry degree at Liverpool but has gone on to work with pioneering medics in the fields of heart transplants and thrombosis and contributed many significant works and insights into the field of haematology.

Rhiannon Lawrence’s passion for her role as chair of governors at the Curzon C of E Combined School in Amersham has helped transform both the school and the governing body in her time in post.

Rhiannon has also immersed herself into village and community life from setting up a new baby and toddler group when her own children were young to raising funds for charity and supporting elderly residents in Penn Street.

Kathleen Martin enjoyed a busy career working in both the Royal Navy and also the Foreign Office but on retiring, decided to throw herself in village life in Chalfont St Giles. One of Kathleen’s most significant achievements has been establishing Chalfont St Giles and Jordan’s Literary Festival.

Cllr Peart’s first community work began with efforts to raise funds to install a new pitch and changing rooms at his local junior football club, Hughenden Valley. His love of football has also seen Graham become involved with Wycombe Wanderers, sitting on the board of directors and has overseen the club expand and thrive.

Speaking after the ceremony, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: “I am truly astounded by the range of activities undertaken and level of dedication shown by these five Buckinghamshire residents here today. Without any doubt, they are worthy recipients of the British Empire Medal and on behalf of HM The Queen I would like to extend my congratulations and thanks to them all.”