Celebrating Queen’s Birthday Honours 2018 – Hazel Latus BEM
The Chairman of Arun Arts, Mrs Hazel Latus, has been awarded with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for voluntary service to the Arts in Bognor Regis. This is in acknowledgement of her dedication and commitment to her tireless work in the Arts and the community.
Hazel selflessly worked as a volunteer for Arun Arts for eight years and for the past five, as Chairman. She has demonstrated grit and determination to make sure that not only does the Alexandra Theatre run successfully but that the many projects that are associated with the Theatre and the Arts continue to run and benefit the community. Hazel has been responsible for bringing new shows and events to the theatre which continue to fill seats, supporting the future of the venue, and the groups that use it.
As part of her work, Hazel demonstrates she has always has others at the front of her mind and has introduced family fun weeks for deprived families and sponsors seats for families that are unable to afford tickets for children's shows. Hazel is not only an innovator and instigator she is also a hands-on, hard worker, volunteering front of house and behind the scenes to make sure things run smoothly.
Leader of Arun District Council, Councillor Mrs Gillian Brown OBE, said ‘I am so pleased that Hazel’s hard work and total dedication to the Arts in Bognor Regis and beyond, and her great commitment to the Theatre and so many community groups is being given worthy recognition. I would like to thank her for all that she does.”
Arun District Council also offers congratulations to Tyler Murphy, founder and volunteer of Tylers Trust, on receiving a BEM for services to young people with debilitating illnesses and vulnerable families in West Sussex.