Hassocks councillor’s ‘surprise’ over New Year’s honour

A Hassocks woman awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours said today: “Nobody is more surprised than I am.”
Rosemary Burns SUS-151230-153528001Rosemary Burns SUS-151230-153528001
Rosemary Burns SUS-151230-153528001

Rosemary Burns - a former chairman of Mid Sussex District Council - receives the award for services to local government and the community in Sussex. “I feel very embarrassed,” she said. “There are people who have done a lot more than I have.”

Mrs Burns, 69, has been a member of the district council for 16 years and was chairman from 1995-1996. She is currently a member of Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common Parish Council.

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She is also a member of Mid Sussex Community Health Council , has chaired the South Downs Conservation Board, has been a member of the Hurstpierpoint Society and has been involved with the South of England Agricultural Society.

She is a governor of Downlands School, Hassocks, and is also involved with the charity Hassocks Child Help.

Mrs Burns, who is married with two grown up sons, enjoys playing tennis in her spare time, along with golf and walking. She is a member of Weald Tennis Club, Hassocks, and the Piltdown Golf Club. “I like to keep busy,” she says.

Asked how she might celebrate her honour, she said: “I might raise a glass.”