Article and photos from Uckfield News, Tuesday, 29th June 2021 https://uckfieldnews.com/dr-gillian-bullock-receives-bem/
Dr Gillian Bullock receives BEM
Maresfield resident, Dr Gillian Bullock, received the British Empire Medal (BEM) at an open-air event on the village recreation ground.
BEM receipient, Dr Gillian Bullock with the Lord Lieutenant, Sir Peter Field, at Marsfield
Dr Bullock’s award was announced in The Queen’s 2021 New Year Honours and is for service to families in Kenya.
At the same event, the Freedom of Maresfield was awarded to the 5 (Maresfield) Squadron, 11 (Royal School of Signals) Signal Regiment.
Chairman of Maresfield Parish Council, Cllr Martin Craddock, presents the Freedom of the village of Major Kathleen Bilney
The BEM was presented by The Queen’s representative in East Sussex, the Lord Lieutenant, Sir Peter Field.
Sir Peter said Dr Bullock had done much around the world, particularly in Africa but was also part of the Maresfield community.
“I think it is so lovely to have her national award given here amongst the people that she loves and have supported her for all these years,” Sir Peter said.
Charity works in Kenya
Dr Bullock worked as a biochemist and later as an experimental pathologist before going on to become a visiting Professor at the University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
In retirement, she has been involved in charitable work as the chair of Children’s Health and Development in Kenya (CHADIK).
You can read more about CHADIK here [external link]
Honouring Dr Gillian Bullock, BEM. From left: Cllr Peter Roundell, Cllr Martin Craddock, MP Nus Ghani, Cllr Roy Galley, Vice Lord Lieutenant, Sara Stoner; Dr Gillian Bullock BEM, Lord Lieutenant, Sir Peter Field; High Sheriff, Miles Jenner; event co-ordinator, Angie Welton; and Rector, the Rev Ben Sear
The citation for her award, which was read by Vice Lord Lieutenant, Sara Stoner, said: “She has been the driving force in leading the charity.”
Since 2013, Dr Bullock has raised more than £160,000 for the charity in the UK.
“Essentially, Gillian is the CHADIK charity,” the citation said.
Pupils from Bonners School, Maresfield, who led the singing of All Things Bright and Beautiful
Dr Bullock said she was grateful to have received the medal on behalf of CHADIK and that as chairman, she was the “fortunate beneficiary representing so many worthy colleagues
The award was a “wonderful boost to morale” for the everyone.
Dr Bullock added: “Every penny we make goes directly to the children with no overheads.
“Without the partnership of Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital in Nairobi, none of the projects would have taken off the ground.”
More than 100 villagers were present to watch the presentation on Sunday (June 27) which was also attended by the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Miles Jenner; Wealden MP, Nus Ghani; county and district councillor, Cllr Roy Galley; district councillor, Cllr Peter Roundell; and the chairman of Maresfield Parish Council, Martin Craddock.
Maresfield church singers s leading the hymns at the thanksgiving service, conducted by David Veasey
A thanksgiving service was then led by the Rector of St Bartholomew’s Church, Maresfield, the Rev Ben Sear.
After the service, the 5 (Maresfield) Squadron were honoured with the Freedom of the village.
Parish council chairman, Mr Craddock said that it was in 1920 that a training centre was established for the Signals at an army camp set in Marefield Park, which had been confiscated by the Government from its then owner, German Prince Munster of Derneburg, in 1914.
He said the Signals stayed in Maresfield for a brief period.
“It was only five years but it is great that the connection has continued.
Cllr Martin Craddock (centre) with OC 5 Maresfield Squadron, Major Kathleen Bilney, Wealden MP, Nus Ghani, the High Sheriff, Miles Jenner and Squadron members
Back in Maresfield, members of the 5 (Maresfield) Squadron, 11 (Royal School Signals) Signal Regiment who are based in Dorset
“It is really thrilling and lovely to see on Remembrance Sunday the Signals parading through Maresfield as they have done in recent years.
“The parish council wanted to cement the relationship and decided that it would grant the Freedom of Maresfield,” he said.
The formal presentation was made to the Officer Commanding, Major Kathleen Bilney. In return she gave the parish council a plaque.
Coverage of the Signals at the 2018 Remembrance Service in Maresfield
Dr Gillian Bullock receives BEM
Maresfield resident, Dr Gillian Bullock, received the British Empire Medal (BEM) at an open-air event on the village recreation ground.
BEM receipient, Dr Gillian Bullock with the Lord Lieutenant, Sir Peter Field, at Marsfield
Dr Bullock’s award was announced in The Queen’s 2021 New Year Honours and is for service to families in Kenya.
At the same event, the Freedom of Maresfield was awarded to the 5 (Maresfield) Squadron, 11 (Royal School of Signals) Signal Regiment.
Chairman of Maresfield Parish Council, Cllr Martin Craddock, presents the Freedom of the village of Major Kathleen Bilney
The BEM was presented by The Queen’s representative in East Sussex, the Lord Lieutenant, Sir Peter Field.
Sir Peter said Dr Bullock had done much around the world, particularly in Africa but was also part of the Maresfield community.
“I think it is so lovely to have her national award given here amongst the people that she loves and have supported her for all these years,” Sir Peter said.
Charity works in Kenya
Dr Bullock worked as a biochemist and later as an experimental pathologist before going on to become a visiting Professor at the University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
In retirement, she has been involved in charitable work as the chair of Children’s Health and Development in Kenya (CHADIK).
You can read more about CHADIK here [external link]
Honouring Dr Gillian Bullock, BEM. From left: Cllr Peter Roundell, Cllr Martin Craddock, MP Nus Ghani, Cllr Roy Galley, Vice Lord Lieutenant, Sara Stoner; Dr Gillian Bullock BEM, Lord Lieutenant, Sir Peter Field; High Sheriff, Miles Jenner; event co-ordinator, Angie Welton; and Rector, the Rev Ben Sear
The citation for her award, which was read by Vice Lord Lieutenant, Sara Stoner, said: “She has been the driving force in leading the charity.”
Since 2013, Dr Bullock has raised more than £160,000 for the charity in the UK.
“Essentially, Gillian is the CHADIK charity,” the citation said.
Pupils from Bonners School, Maresfield, who led the singing of All Things Bright and Beautiful
Dr Bullock said she was grateful to have received the medal on behalf of CHADIK and that as chairman, she was the “fortunate beneficiary representing so many worthy colleagues
The award was a “wonderful boost to morale” for the everyone.
Dr Bullock added: “Every penny we make goes directly to the children with no overheads.
“Without the partnership of Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital in Nairobi, none of the projects would have taken off the ground.”
More than 100 villagers were present to watch the presentation on Sunday (June 27) which was also attended by the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Miles Jenner; Wealden MP, Nus Ghani; county and district councillor, Cllr Roy Galley; district councillor, Cllr Peter Roundell; and the chairman of Maresfield Parish Council, Martin Craddock.
Maresfield church singers s leading the hymns at the thanksgiving service, conducted by David Veasey
A thanksgiving service was then led by the Rector of St Bartholomew’s Church, Maresfield, the Rev Ben Sear.
After the service, the 5 (Maresfield) Squadron were honoured with the Freedom of the village.
Parish council chairman, Mr Craddock said that it was in 1920 that a training centre was established for the Signals at an army camp set in Marefield Park, which had been confiscated by the Government from its then owner, German Prince Munster of Derneburg, in 1914.
He said the Signals stayed in Maresfield for a brief period.
“It was only five years but it is great that the connection has continued.
Cllr Martin Craddock (centre) with OC 5 Maresfield Squadron, Major Kathleen Bilney, Wealden MP, Nus Ghani, the High Sheriff, Miles Jenner and Squadron members
Back in Maresfield, members of the 5 (Maresfield) Squadron, 11 (Royal School Signals) Signal Regiment who are based in Dorset
“It is really thrilling and lovely to see on Remembrance Sunday the Signals parading through Maresfield as they have done in recent years.
“The parish council wanted to cement the relationship and decided that it would grant the Freedom of Maresfield,” he said.
The formal presentation was made to the Officer Commanding, Major Kathleen Bilney. In return she gave the parish council a plaque.
Coverage of the Signals at the 2018 Remembrance Service in Maresfield
- The event also saw the launch of a “buy-a-brick” fund-raiser to improve facilities at the parish church and the presentation of five community awards. We will cover those two events later in the week.