Woman from East Anglia recognised in Honours List for community work
Ann Osborne, who is from Diss, will receive a British Empire Medal
Last updated 31st Dec 2024
A woman living South Norfolk is being recognised for her work for her local community and helping combat loneliness.
Ann Osborne is one of many across the country who's being awarded a medal by the King in his New Years Honours List and will be receiving a British Empire Medal (BEM).
She has been recognised for services to Older People and Combatting Loneliness in Suffolk and Norfolk.
For the last 22 years, Ann has been involved with the Rural Coffee Caravan (RCC) which now visits 300 of the most rural locations in the area each year, bringing together 5000 people who would otherwise face loneliness.
Alongside a small group of friends, Ann also started 500 Suffolk Reasons, a fundraising group for those in need in the local community.
"I just assumed that they made a mistake"
We spoke to Ann and asked her to talk us through the moment she found out.
"I didn't for a minute think what was in it (the letter) would be what was in it.
"And when I opened it, I just assumed that they made a mistake.
"I gave it to my husband to read and said I don't quite understand this. What is this? And he said, Oh my goodness, you've been given a British Empire Medal.
"He gets very cross with me because I always say I don't understand these things because I'm paid to do this. This is my job and it just seems overwhelming to be given something for doing your job.
"...I'm literally a metaphorically honoured so, so honoured, very overwhelmed. I'm very grateful to have my work validated in this way,.It's very special."
Ann told us she will be accepting this award on behalf of the people she works with.
"I get told over and over that the team goes above and beyond, so it's for the team. It's for the whole team.
"I know everybody says that, but it really is because we couldn't do what we do without all of us being part of it...
"If you're treating people kindly if you're treating them like fellow human beings and not robots, then they will give you their best. So it doesn't make sense to do it any other way."
Ann told us that when her family found out they jumped up and down with joy for her.
"They were really excited and proud of me."
Ann told us that she has had a long-lasting relationship with Clare Countess of Euston, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk who is thought to be presenting the medal to Ann.
She told us about a particularly memorable conversation that happened several years ago.
"We were at Houston Park for the Rural Pastimes event and she came and sat down beside me and she said the Queen The Late Queen Elizabeth II loves your project.
"I could just imagine her sitting on the Queen's bed and having a chat about the Rural Coffee Caravan. It's so sweet. She's she's just a wonderful lady."
Ann said she's uncertain of when or how the medal will be presented but that she hopes she doesn't have to wear a dress.
Who else made it on the New Year's Honours list:
Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE):
-The Right Honourable Patricia Hope Hewitt. Chair, NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board. For services to Healthcare Transformation. (Hunstanton, Norfolk).
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE):
-Geoffrey Barton. Lately General Secretary, Association of School and College Leaders. For services to Education. (Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk).
Order of the British Empire (OBE):
-Professor Philip Douglas Jones. Professorial Fellow, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia. For services to Climatology. (Wymondham, Norfolk)
-Ruth Florence Hollis. Chief Executive Officer, Spirit of 2012. For services to Sport, to the Arts and to Volunteering. (Norwich, Norfolk)
-Ronald Hynd. Dancer and International Choreographer. For services to Dance. (Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk)
-John Philip Bateman-Champain. Director, The Faith and Belief Forum. For services to Faith and Integration. (Norwich, Norfolk)
-James Nicholas Barnard Darkins. Lately Independent Non-Executive Board Member, The Crown Estate. For services to the Public Sector. (Southwold, Suffolk)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE):
Suffolk:
Barbara Mary Boyd. Founder, Hadleigh Thrift Shop. For services to Charitable Fundraising and to the community in Hadleigh, Suffolk. (Hadleigh, Suffolk)
Muriel Joyce Bridges. For services to the St. Elizabeth Hospice, Framlingham, Suffolk. (Woodbridge, Suffolk)
Lilian June Winter. For services to the St. Elizabeth Hospice, Framlingham, Suffolk.
Christine May Boatwright. Founder and Clinical Director, Kernos Centre. For services to Mental Health in Suffolk. (Bures, Suffolk)
John Allen Dunnett. For services to the community in Grundisburgh, Suffolk. (Woodbridge, Suffolk)
Kathleen Jane Hamilton. Lately Theatre Manager and Administrator. For services to Theatre. (Saxmundham, Suffolk)
Daniel Schunmann JP DL. Founder, VIVA Theatre. For services to Community Theatre in Cambridgeshire. (Newmarket, Suffolk)
Jill Marianne Terrell. For services to Libraries. (Stowmarket, Suffolk)
William Thomas Ellard. For services to Swimming. (Beccles, Suffolk)
Norfolk:
Ann Patricia Osborn. Chief Executive Officer, The Rural Coffee Caravan Information Project. For services to Older People and Combatting Loneliness in the communities of Suffolk and Norfolk. (Diss, Norfolk)
Barbara Howell. Foster Carer, Norfolk County Council. For services to Foster Care. (Kings Lynn, Norfolk)
Sheila Joyce Warner. Vice Chair, Wells Lifeboat Guild, Norfolk. For voluntary services to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. (Fakenham, Norfolk)
Jessica Margaret Lapping. Co-Organiser, The Norfolk Superhero Challenge. For services to Charity in Norfolk. (Fakenham, Norfolk)
Sophie Elizabeth Ellis. Co-Organiser, The Norfolk Superheroes. For services to Charity in Norfolk. (King's Lynn, Norfolk)
Rona Benson. CCTV Operator, Norfolk Constabulary. For services to Policing and to Crime Prevention. (Great Yarmouth, Norfolk)
Helen Ruth Wardale. Chair, Apollo Academies Trust, Norfolk. For services to Education. (North Walsham, Norfolk)
Andrew James Proctor. Lately Council Leader, Norfolk County Council. For services to Local Government. (Emsworth, Hampshire)
William Charles Good. Secretary and Registrar, Wymondham Rugby Club. For services to Sport. (Attleborough, Norfolk)
Rachel Denise Blackburn. Chief Executive Officer, US2U Consulting Ltd. For services to the Business Community and to Exports. (Norwich, Norfolk)
Richard Andrew Finney. Founder and Moustache Meister, Captain Fawcett. For services to International Trade and to Charity. (Kings Lynn, Norfolk)