John's efforts highlighted in birthday honours list

DELIGHT and admiration has greeted the announcement of a birthday honour for a youth worker living in Bognor Regis.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jun 2013, 16:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:19 BST
John and Betty Rudkin at home in Bognor Regis. John received a British Empire Medal in June 2013John and Betty Rudkin at home in Bognor Regis. John received a British Empire Medal in June 2013
John and Betty Rudkin at home in Bognor Regis. John received a British Empire Medal in June 2013

John Rudkin, 76, of Campbell Road, Bognor Regis, helped form the Tangmere Youth Club 37 years ago and remains treasurer to this day.

He was nominated for the British Empire Medal by chairman of the youth club Jayne Sansby.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Without him the youth club would have closed,” said Jayne. “He’s done everything.”

“He’s a very unassuming bloke. He just gets out there and does it. We’re really really happy for him.”

John is still the treasurer and over the years has turned his hand to virtually everything at the club. Jayne added he ran it almost single-handedly at times.

Also there at the beginning was John’s wife Betty, also 76, who was secretary. The couple have two children.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We did a lot of work together. We work as a team,” said Betty.

“We still work together,” added John.

The pair were on holiday when the letter arrived and he said he could not believe it, but was very pleased.

John also volunteers at the Tangmere Aviation Museum. Before he retired, he worked for 43 years with Covers, in Chichester.

Chairman of Tangmere Parish Council Andrew Irwin also wrote a glowing letter of reference for John’s nomination.