Yesterday, 18 May 2026, the Manor Rooms in Teversal played host to a special ceremony as Peter Edwards, of Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, was officially presented with his MBE award by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering MBS HAC.
Surrounded by family, friends, and civic dignitaries, Peter’s outstanding contributions to the local community were recognised. Among the distinguished guests were Liz Barrett OBE, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, and Theresa Hodgkinson, Chief Executive of Ashfield District Council.
Peter, Chair of the Ashfield Health and Wellbeing Partnership, a champion of sport for people with disabilities, and an ambassador for Ashfield, has been a pillar of the Ashfield community for over 30 years.
A long-time resident of Ashfield, Peter has dedicated himself to youth mentoring, charity fundraising, and supporting local heritage initiatives. His efforts have been widely celebrated in local newspaper reports, which have chronicled his commitment, 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, serving on various panels and groups.
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 Mansfield-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 and Butterfly Bakery.
The award, announced in the King’s Birthday Honours List last year, recognises Peter’s decades of service and his unwavering dedication to bettering the lives of others in Ashfield.
Images include:
Peter Edwards MBE (Right) with His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering MBS HAC.
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering MBS HAC.
Peter Edwards MBE (Centre) with Brother Martin Edwards and Sister-in-Law Jennifer Edwards.
Peter Edwards MBE (Centre) with His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering MBS HAC (Left) and Liz Barrett OBE, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.
Peter Edwards MBE with Liz Barrett OBE, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering MBS HAC (Left) and Theresa Hodgkinson, Chief Executive of Ashfield District Council and Martin Rigley OBE, Chief Commercial Officer Devtank.
Peter Edwards MBE (Centre) with Carol Hallam, ATTFE College and Kieran Percival, Actifire Ltd (Left) and Andrea Stone, Wellbeing Manager, Ashfield District Council and Simon Martin MBE, Vice Principal ATTFE College.
Peter Edwards MBE with his family
MBE Presentation – from His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering MBS HAC to Peter Edwards MBE
