Lee Bates BEM, DL

Lee has worked within the Voluntary and Community Development Sector for nearly 30 years, A DL for Staffordshire & British Empire Medal Recipient.

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The King has met volunteers and veterans at The Gordon Highlanders Museum, including 99-year-old D-Day veteran Jim Glennie, whose portrait by Carl Randall is displayed at the museum, courtesy of Royal Collection Trust.

His Majesty saw the kilt of Captain Alexander Manson, who was wounded in the 1916 Battle of the Somme. 🧐 Remarkably, the kilt still bears traces of mud from the battlefield.

The museum honors the history of The Gordon Highlanders, a line infantry regiment established in 1784. As The Duke of Rothesay, The King was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment in 1978 and served until its amalgamation with the Queen’s Own Highlanders in 1994.

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

The Prince and Princess of Wales have become Joint Patrons of The @RoyalMarsdenNHS Foundation Trust.

The announcement follows Her Royal Highness’ own personal cancer journey, during which she received treatment from The Royal Marsden.

On a visit to the hospital's Chelsea site yesterday, The Princess met patients undergoing treatment as well as staff working in different roles across the hospital.

https://t.co/gFvFNHWByo

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

Happy Birthday to The Princess of Wales! 🎂

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

✨🎆 Wishing you a Happy New Year!

[Lee Bates BEM, DL @LeeStephenBates]

✨ A Wonderful Way to End 2024! ✨

Thrilled to join congratulations to the recipients of His Majesty King Charles III’s New Year’s Honours in Staffordshire!

Special recognition goes to Sir Ian Dudson CBE, Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, who has been made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (K.C.V.O) for his outstanding services to the Crown. This honour is particularly fitting for someone who has served His Majesty with distinction for nearly 13 years.

Across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, 15 individuals have been recognised with OBEs, MBEs, and BEMs for their incredible contributions to noble causes, including:

🌟 Sport
🌟 Disabilities
🌟 Foster Care
🌟 Child Care
🌟 Communities
🌟 The Justice System
🌟 Medical Research
🌟 Early Years Education
🌟 Marine Biology

These worthy recipients are a testament to the tireless, selfless, and charitable work happening in our county.

A heartfelt thank you to all the honourees for your dedication and service—you truly inspire us all. @highlight

#NewYearsHonours #StaffordshirePride #ThankYou #CelebratingExcellence

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

Behind the lens 🎥✨

A special glimpse into the incredible talent, creativity, and teamwork that brings The King’s Christmas Broadcast to life.

Watch His Majesty’s message on the Royal Family Channel on YouTube channel now.

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

“Across the Commonwealth, we are held together by a willingness to listen to each other, to learn from one another and to find just how much we have in common.”

📺 Today, in his annual Christmas Broadcast, His Majesty has spoken of the importance of supporting and learning from each other. Watch His Majesty’s message in full on The Royal Family YouTube channel.

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

🎄 Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

[Lee Bates BEM, DL @LeeStephenBates]

Merry Christmas! Wishing you joy, peace, and love.

#Whether we’re family, friends, neighbours, or simply passing by in life, I hope this day brings warmth to your heart and light. May the spirit of Christmas remind us all of the beauty in kindness, and the strength in community.

Blessings to you and yours!

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

🎬Lights. Camera. Action!

The annual Christmas Day tradition - the Sovereign’s Christmas Broadcast - is almost here. Where will you be watching?

The broadcast will be available from 15:00GMT on Christmas Day on:

▶️The Royal Family Channel on YouTube.
📺 @SKYNews, @ITV and @BBCOne in the UK.
📺 If you live outside the UK, check your national broadcaster’s schedule.

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

This year, The King’s Christmas Broadcast was filmed in the Fitzrovia Chapel, London.

Formerly the chapel of Middlesex Hospital, it is now a space for quiet reflection, discovery and celebration, connecting diverse communities from all faiths or none.

In 1928, His Majesty’s grandfather, King George VI, laid the foundation stone of the building.

The featured Christmas tree was donated to Croydon BME Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘Can You C Me?’ project and will be placed in the Royal Trinity Hospice, Clapham, the oldest hospice in the United Kingdom.

[Lee Bates BEM, DL @LeeStephenBates]

🕯️✨ Lighting the Fourth Candle of Advent – A Light of Hope ✨🕯️

Today, as we light the fourth candle of Advent, we reflect on the powerful symbol of hope, love, joy, and peace this season brings.

Yesterday, we joined with many others in lighting a green candle for Samaritans’ suicide awareness, reminding us all of the importance of compassion, understanding, and being there for one another.

Let this fourth candle shine brightly – not just as part of our Advent tradition, but as a beacon of hope for those who may be struggling. Together, we can share the light and remind others they are never alone.

If you or someone you know needs support, reach out – a simple conversation can make all the difference.

#AdventHope #LightInDarkness #Samaritans #YouAreNotAlone #ShareTheLight

[Lee Bates BEM, DL @LeeStephenBates]

Christmas is a moment to pause, reflect, and be thankful for the love and hope that have carried us through the year. It is also a time to remember what connects us all: our shared humanity. Regardless of who we are, where we come from, or our circumstances, we are united by one simple truth—we are all human.

To be human is a gift. We are blessed with emotions that allow us to love deeply, solve problems creatively, build meaningful relationships, and nurture curiosity and resilience. Yet, being human also means acknowledging our imperfections. We experience pain, face health challenges, wrestle with inner battles, and sometimes harm others—intentionally or not—through our actions or words.

Recognising both our strengths and weaknesses reminds us of something fundamental: we all need a helping hand from time to time. Christmas can be especially difficult for some, but it is also a season of hope and support. If this Christmas feels like a hard time for you, know that others care, and whether you feel ready to reach out, even the smallest acts of kindness—given or received—can make a profound difference. There are people and organisations ready to help you when you need them.

This year has given us much to reflect on. Two moments stand out as reminders of the best and worst of humanity.

• The attack on a local hotel on 4th August 2024 demonstrated how cruelty can coexist with courage, compassion, and kindness. It was a powerful reminder that we must never become complacent in our mission to support one another and to share kindness, even in the face of those who act without it.

• The recent damage to a community building nearly derailed our Holiday Activities and Food Programme for families in need. Yet, through what can only be described as a Christmas miracle, the community came together. People united to repair the damage and ensure that no family missed out on the support they deserved.

These moments highlight the incredible spirit of our community. Time and again, individuals and organisations go above and beyond to care for others, particularly at Christmas. Whether it’s offering Christmas Day meals for the lonely and isolated, organising food drives and toy appeals, distributing vouchers and hampers, or providing free activities for those who might otherwise miss out, our town shows its heart. We “punch well above our weight” in demonstrating kindness and generosity that far outweigh any negativity.

So, as we close 2024, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has shown kindness, compassion, or simply a listening ear this year. To those who have performed good deeds, shared a kind smile, or checked in on family, friends, neighbours’, or even strangers facing hard times—you are the true spirit of humanity. You remind us of what it means to care, to hope, and to keep faith in each other.

Thank you for putting heart and soul into our community.

[Lee Bates BEM, DL @LeeStephenBates]

A Privilege to Celebrate Tamworth’s Rich History

It was an absolute privilege to represent His Majesty’s The King, His representative for Staffordshire at a special event celebrating an important moment in history: 190th Anniversary (exact anniversary date tomorrow) of The Tamworth Manifesto.

Published on 18 December 1834 and reputedly read from Tamworth’s Town Hall, the Manifesto—issued by Sir Robert Peel—was a groundbreaking election statement that is widely regarded as the foundation of modern Conservatism.

The event featured Richard Gaunt, a distinguished historian with expertise in 18th and 19th-century political history, who brought this fascinating period to life.

Tamworth’s Town Hall itself is steeped in history, erected in 1701 by Thomas Guy, standing as a proud symbol of our town’s heritage.

I was joined with Tamworth’s Deputy Mayor Cllr. Chris Bain Tamworth Historian John Harper and The Vicar of Tamworth Fr Andrew Lythall

A huge thank you as always to Dr. David Biggs, Chair of @TamworthCivic , and to all its members for their tireless work in preserving and celebrating Tamworth’s incredible history since 1973. Your dedication ensures that the stories of our past remain alive for generations to come.

History matters, and so does the work you do!

#TamworthHistory #TamworthManifesto #PreservingHeritage #CommunityPride @highlight

[Lee Bates BEM, DL @LeeStephenBates]

🌟 Lighting the Third Candle of Advent: JOY 🌟

Today, we light the third candle of Advent, the candle of joy—a reminder that even in life’s toughest moments, light can still be found.

In a life filled with challenges—like the rising cost of living and the burdens many of us carry—it’s easy to feel weighed down. But this candle reminds us that joy isn’t always about big, perfect moments. Sometimes, it’s the small, quiet blessings: a warm conversation, something that makes us smile or laugh, a sunset painting the sky.

Today, we take a moment to pause and reflect. To notice the light that breaks through the darkness. To be thankful for the good in our lives, however small it might seem.

Let this candle inspire to share moments of joy with one another. Because even in difficult times, joy has a way of shining through.

Wishing you all peace and joy this Advent season. 💛

[Lee Bates BEM, DL @LeeStephenBates]

Many Congratulations Euan all the hard work has paid off 🧑‍🎓👏👏👏👏

[🐜hony G/Sloth Team 6 🇬🇧🇳🇴🇺🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @Tigga594]

And so it's fair ye well once again to a cold yet amazing Glasgow. Another memorable visit to the place I once called home and where Euan has achieved so much 🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree! 🎄❄️

Continuing a cherished annual tradition, The Queen welcomed children supported by @HelenAndDouglas and @RoaldDahlFund to Clarence House to help decorate the Christmas tree. We think they’ve done a wonderful job!

🎶 🎅 Adding to the magic of the day, everyone was treated to some festive tunes from The Band and Bugles of The Rifles and enjoyed a delicious lunch. Father Christmas himself even made a surprise appearance!

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

Today marks the final day of @UN’s 16 Days of Activism: a time to encourage conversations around domestic and gender-based violence.

In this clip from ‘Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors’ actor Sir Patrick Stewart shares his experiences of domestic violence.

To watch the documentary in full, which follows The Queen as she speaks to survivors and change makers in the course of her work in this area, head to @ITVX.

#16Days #16DaysofActivisim2024