It was an exciting day for former High Sheriff Peter Lawson who was presented with the British Empire Medal on Tuesday the 23rd of November.

The medal was presented by Dr Sarah Furness, Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland at the ceremony in Oakham Castle.

In her address, she said "Peter has had enormous beneficial impact on the life and culture of our lovely county of Rutland.

"He has been awarded the BEM for the effect he has had upon two related fields, the Arts and the community.

"Peter has vision, is a formidable organiser, is determined and he is charming. These are all the very characteristics that mean when Peter has an idea it happens. He carries people with him and is good at building happy co-operative small teams. Not only do Peter's ideas tend to happen but they also tend to capture other peoples' imaginations too."

A chorister while at Oakham School, and in more recent years contributing to the musical community of Arts for Rutland, Peter's love of music has never wavered. Since his retirement, he has devoted much of his time to furthering Rutland's musical ambitions, not only with Music in Lyddington, but also the national body "Making Music" which supports all choirs and orchestras across the country. Now living partly in Norwich, he also leads Norwich musical events and groups with equal enthusiasm.

The awarding body have said that Peter's "engaging and approachable style, matched by his selfless commitment to his causes, empowered others to rise to the challenge" of bringing the arts to life in Rutland.

Peter was joined at the award ceremony by many of those with whom he has worked in the past fifteen years, his wife Sally, and his four children who had travelled from several different parts of the UK and Berlin.

Congratulations to Peter!

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