Sutton man presented with MBE by Lord-Lieutenant in prestigious ceremony
A Sutton man has officially been honoured after being presented with his MBE for outstanding contributions to the local community
Surrounded by family, friends, and civic dignitaries, Peter Edwards, who was nominated in last year’s King’s Birthday Honours, was presented with his award by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Prof Veronica Pickering in a special ceremony in Teversal.
Among the distinguished guests were Liz Barrett OBE, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire and Theresa Hodgkinson, chief executive of Ashfield Council.
Peter, chair of the Ashfield Health and Wellbeing Partnership, is a champion of sport for people with disabilities, an ambassador for Ashfield and has been a pillar of the community for more than 30 years.
Peter has dedicated himself to youth mentoring, charity fundraising, and supporting local heritage initiatives.
His efforts have been widely celebrated in local newspaper reports, including his role in organising the annual Ashfield Youth Festival and spearheading projects to preserve the district’s industrial history.
He sits on the Discover Ashfield Board and has played an active role in the district for many years, sitting on various panels and groups.
When he was told he was being made an MBE, he admitted to being both ‘gobsmacked’, and ‘absolutely thrilled’, adding: “I’ve had the privilege of working with many fantastic people, seeing them develop as athletes and help change their lives
"It’s been both inspiring and rewarding.”
Peter, who grew up in South Yorkshire, overcame a hip condition which affected the way he walked and his lower spine as a child.
The father of two sons and a daughter, as well as grandfather to three grandchildren, Peter got a job as a miner but lost a leg in a traumatic accident in 1989.
A year later he moved to Ashfield and soon became a leading advocate for disabled sport.
He played amputee football for Yorkshire and Humberside, swam for Manfield-based Sherwood Seals Swimming Club for the disabled - retiring as a regional champion - and played wheelchair basketball for 18 years.
In 2001 Pete was offered a job in sport and went on to become a swimming coach.
This led to him becoming even more heavily involved in disabled sport, supporting a wide range of athletes with disabilities.
The morning was celebrated over coffee, tea and cakes provided and supported by ATTFE College’s Butterfly Bakery.