A BROMSGROVE man has received the British Empire Medal he was awarded in The King’s Birthday Honours List.
Roy Starkey, who is 67 and from Aston Fields, was awarded the accolade in recognition of the volunteering work he has done over the last 40 years in promoting amateur mineralogy in the UK.
Such is his knowledge, he has become the leading figure nationally in volunteer mineralogy – the scientific study of minerals.
Roy’s BEM was presented to him by the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Beatrice Grant, in a ceremony at the Guildhall in Worcester.
He told the Standard: “The study of minerals has been a lifelong passion for me.
“It’s a fascinating and wonderful subject, and more people are getting interested in collecting and studying minerals. I’m proud and delighted that my work has been recognised in this way.”
Roy has also written several books including ‘Minerals of the English Midlands’ and he also played a key role in the project to redevelop the Lapworth Museum of Geology at Birmingham University.
