A cub scout leader who has been scouting for 50 years and a music teacher who has helped those that struggle to get involved in music feature in the King’s Birthday Honours list 2024.
Susan Christine Johnson says she was “absolutely amazed” when she got the news that she was to be recognised in the honours list as a medallist of the Order of the British Empire.
The 1st Rickmansworth Cub Scouts leader’s contribution to young people in Rickmansworth was highlighted in the official list, published at 10.30pm on June 14.
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“I was very honoured to have been named, and quite humbled really,” the 70-year-old said, adding that she would never have imagined it could have happened.
Sue recently received her 50-year badge for scouting and has been involved in the movement in Rickmansworth ever since moving to the area in 1976.
She also serves as deputy safeguarding officer at St Mary’s Church and previously worked as a teaching assistant at Rickmansworth Park School.
Fellow British Empire Medal recipient Timothy Richard Smith also has a link to St Mary’s Church, as he is moving to take up a role there soon.
The Rickmansworth resident is looking forward to working somewhere a little closer to home but was recognised for his services to music and to education as director of music at another St Mary’s Church in Harrow on the Hill, London.
“I was somewhat amazed,” he said of the honour. “I never expected anything like that, and I’m touched that someone was interested enough in me that they thought I was worthy of it.”
He grew up in Harrow and taught music in schools there from 1996 until 2023, while living in Rickmansworth since 2004.
For the last 19 years the 65-year-old has been the organist at the Harrow on the Hill church.
Tim also founded and run Kids Choir Harrow and works to help children who could not afford music lessons or instruments access funding so they can still get involved.
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