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Queen's birthday honours: Nursery owner 'humbled' by BEM

Ann Khoshbin Ann KhoshbinAnn Khoshbin
Ann Khoshbin opened her nursery in 1995

The owner of a Swansea nursery has said she is "pleased and humbled" to be recognised in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Ann Khoshbin, owner of Rose Garden Day Nursery in Uplands, is to be awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to education.

She set up her business after being unable to find suitable childcare for her own children.

She said: "It's lovely, I'm pleased and humbled really.

She said of receiving the letter informing her of the honour: "It was such a surprise, I just cried, I couldn't believe it.

"I don't do the work to have a medal. I do it because I absolutely love it. It's a family business."

Ann Khoshbin Ann Khoshbin and her staffAnn Khoshbin
Ann Khoshbin employs 16 members of staff

Mrs Khoshbin also provides work placements for college students and gives talks to students.

Unlike other honours, the BEM is not awarded by the Queen or Prince of Wales but by Lord-Lieutenants, who are the representatives of the Crown for each county in the UK.

Other recipients of BEMs from south-west Wales are:

  • Writer Captain David Jones, 92, from Pennard. He is being recognised for services to Anglo-German relations and World War II Education.
  • Director of Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society Marian Jean Harris for services to music and amateur community theatre.
  • Valerie James, 85, from Seven Sisters, Neath Port Talbot for her work with older people and to the community.
  • Margaret Rees-Hughes from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, is a board member on Hywel Dda University Hospital Board. She began her nursing career at Morriston Hospital, Swansea in 1967 and is to receive a BEM for services to the NHS in Wales

Also recognised in the birthday honours list is Swansea councillor Peter Black who will be appointed CBE for services to politics and public life in Wales.

Mr Black was a Liberal Democrat AM between 1999 and 2016 and has represented the Cwmbwrla ward as a councillor since 1984.

Peter Black
Peter Black lost his assembly seat in 2016

British honours are awarded on merit, for exceptional achievement or service.

All of the recipients will be invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party to celebrate their achievements.