In the New Year’s Honours list, a music teacher who inspired Ed Sheeran to pursue his dreams has been honored. The British Empire Medal was given to Richard Hanley, who instructed the musician at Thomas Mills High School in Framingham, Suffolk (BEM).
He has been acknowledged for his contributions to education. Being honored, according to Mr. Hanley, the school’s director of music, was “extremely exciting.”
The school, he claimed, “has always appreciated the arts, given them high prominence, and promoted music and the arts throughout my 33 years there. I think this honor really is an appreciation for the institution as well.”
He claimed that Thomas Mills hired him in 1989 after being inspired to pursue the field by his own music teacher.
I have taught many amazing musicians and students there over the years, and it’s a wonderful place, said Mr. Hanley.
We always backed Sheeran in terms of performing opportunities, he continued, adding that he is “not sure how big a part” he played in Sheeran’s career.
The pop sensation says Mr. Hanley inspired him to chase his goal in his documentary. He claimed that many teachers “didn’t completely get it.” Mr. Hanley “never doubted” anything.
Local resident Sheeran recently made a surprise visit to his old school to give honors during its awards ceremony.
In addition, he recently played a pop-up concert in Ipswich and was seen filming his new music video there. He has also shot several music videos in Suffolk, most notably Castle on the Hill, which incorporates the crumbling medieval castle in Framlingham.
Several Suffolk people, including Mr. Hanley, are honored in the New Year’s Honours.
These consist of:
- Eric Hopes, a 90-year-old Bury St. Edmunds resident who worked for the police for 50 years and continues to assist in managing the force museum. The BEM has been given to him.
- Joanna Hilary Todd, the founder and CEO of Respect, works with young people who use violence and abuse, male victims of domestic abuse, and perpetrators of domestic abuse. She has been given the CBE for her work with domestic abuse victims.
- Fiona Jane Ellis, CEO of Survivors in Transition, an organization that helps men and women who were sexually abused as children. She has been given the OBE for her work with victims of child sex abuse.
- A benevolent James Matthew William Alexander has been given the MBE for his contributions to the environment.
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