By Dan Stacey

Copyright expressandstar

Eleven people, including four from Sandwell and two from Walsall, will receive the medals on Thursday September 25, 2025 at Banqueting Suite, Birmingham Council House on Victoria Square.

The West Midlands is celebrating BEM recipients from this year’s King’s Birthday Honours and New Year Honours, with the medals being presented by the Lord-Lieutenant for West Midlands, Derrick Anderson CBE.

All recipients have made an active contribution to help others making the region a richer, kinder place, and are passionate about what they do and have gone to extraordinary lengths to help others, volunteering their time for countless years.

The Lord-Lieutenant for West Midlands, Derrick Anderson CBE, said: “The Investiture is a wonderful opportunity to recognise some exceptional people who have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of other people in this region.

“It is heart-warming to know that we are fortunate to have people that give so much and make a big difference to the communities where they live.

“I really look forward to meeting them and celebrating their achievements.”

The six recipients from Sandwell and Walsall were all nominated for a variety of heroic acts and consistent contributions to their community.

Here is a list of the six winners and the good work they have done:

Kerrie Green, for services to the community in Rowley Regis

Sergeant Major Instructor Kerrie Green has served with the Army Cadet Force since 2011 and positively impacted the lives of hundreds of young people in the last 11 years.

Through her dedicated mentor and leadership she has recruited disenfranchised young people and some cadets have become accomplished musicians.

She has gone out of her way to support disadvantaged children from underprivileged backgrounds and is truly inspirational.

Kerrie has taken on the role of Media Officer for Gwent & Powys Army Cadet Force and has achieved a four per cent recruitment increase across the county.

She is an outstanding ambassador for the Army Cadet force and has made a significant and positive impact on many young people.

Deborah Lowe, for services to the community in Rowley Regis

In 2002 Deborah formed ‘Youth Onstage’ and for over 20 years has enabled young people to experience performing in musical theatre.

During this time around 300 young people have been nurtured and encouraged by her to perform on stage with some going on to enjoy careers on stage in the West End and all over the world.

Performances have been held at theatres in the Midlands, and during Covid she organised online rehearsals and coordinated a pantomime that was performed on Zoom.

Youth Onstage’s motto is “Be Kind” and the group is inclusive, providing a safe environment where young people feel they are part of a family.

Deborah is a trained primary school teacher working as a supply teacher, and she fundraises to keep the group going and recently raised £6000.

Carl Ledbury, for services to the community in Oldbury

Carl qualified as a paramedic in 1986 and for over 40 years he has been committed to the NHS Ambulance Service.

Apart from carrying out his paramedic duties, Carl has dedicated his life to supporting his colleagues. He is a qualified counsellor and has taken up various positions to help others in the service.

He was an avid supporter of the Ambulance Services Benevolent Fund (ASBF) and became a Trustee in 2016 when The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC) was formed.

He is also a Trustee of Freedom To Speak Up that encourages staff to raise concerns and a Trustee of the West Midlands Central Accident Resuscitation Emergency (CARE) team.

He helps organise lectures and fundraising events for the CARE team and continues to support retired ambulance staff.

Although he retired in 2012, he remained part of the West Midlands Ambulance Service Ceremonial Unit and was part of the bearers for the late Majesty the Queen in 2022.

Balbir Singh, for services to the community in Smethwick

Balbir is one of the most important contributors to the UK’s Asian music scene and is often referred to as the “Godfather of Asian music in the UK.“

He is a world renowned Bhangra artist, who has continuously performed and recorded music since 1967, when he formed the Bhujhangy Group with his brother as teenagers.

The group disbanded 12 years later but Balbir continued to record under the Bhujhangy Group name and has played in many venues, including temples and charity events.

He is critically acclaimed and has appeared in the Guiness Book of Records for continuous performing from 1967 (2003,2011 editions) and in 2005 for the Longest Running Bhangra Group.

In 2009 he received a House of Commons award for his contribution to Punjabi culture and Bhangra music in the UK.

David Payne, for services to the community in Aldridge

David is an active member of the West Bromwich community and is Company Captain of the 14th West Bromwich Boys’ Brigade company.

He has been Company Captain for 40 years and in the Boys’ Brigade for 55 years.

He has given young people opportunities they never would have had and has taught them commitment and inspired a sense of public duty.

David raised over £10,000 in a sponsored walk from West Bromwich to Dyffryn Ardudwy for the Company and the West Midlands District Camping Centre.

He is Trustee and Chairman of the G & T.H. Salter Trust charity, the charity set up by the Salter brothers from their West Bromwich factory.

He is church steward at Charlemont Methodist church, a supporter of Charlemont Dramatic Society and was appointed in 1990 as a crime court chair and crime mentor for new magistrates.

Joan Lockley, for services to wildlife

Joan has dedicated her life to the rescue and rehabilitation of hedgehogs in the last 25 years, and is the founder of West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue and personally funded a purpose-built hedgehog hospital in her garden.

Over 7000 injured and orphaned animals have been rescued; in 2023 she took in 884 hedgehogs alone.

Despite turning 80, Joan is as active as ever.

Her knowledge and expertise are appreciated by veterinary practices and the RSCPA and in 2024 she created a hedgehog calendar to raise funds.

Each year Joan runs an open day and across 2022 and 2023 over £2000 was raised.

She gives educational talks to the Wildlife Trust, the WI and local schools and has had many media appearances, including appearing on Channel 5’s Saving Britain’s Hedgehogs.

In 2015 she received an award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare and there is no doubt that the numbers of local hedgehogs would be depleted without her.