Honour for council veteran

Councillor Terry Dix, chairman of Staffordshire County Council, has been awarded the Golden Needle, the highest honour given by the German War Graves Commission.

The award – one that is rarely bestowed on foreigners – recognises Councillor Dix's contribution to Staffordshire's friendship and partnership arrangements with the German city of Bremen. Partnership initiatives include regular visits by German youngsters to tend the Cannock Chase German war cemetery and Staffordshire youngsters visiting Bremen.

The Cannock cemetery is the last resting place of all 4,500 German servicemen who died on British soil during the First and Second World Wars. Most were prisoners of war, although many lost their lives in air crashes. Councillor Dix has been involved with the programme since he first became a county councillor in 1981, and attended a wreath laying ceremony at the cemetery last week.

The citation from the German War Graves Commission says the needle is awarded for Councillor Dix's "great support for the German War Graves Commission, which supports the understanding between peoples and develops peace in the world".

Councillor Dix said: "It is a great honour to receive the Golden Needle.

"Throughout my involvement with the Bremen partnership and the annual youth camps, I have tried to represent Staffordshire to the best of my abilities. These programmes are about developing peace and reconciliation through friendship.

"The youth camps have been running for nearly 40 years and, in that time, thousands of youngsters from Bremen and Staffordshire have diligently tended the grave sites.

"It is a great opportunity for them to meet and talk about the events of the past and ensure that they understand the lessons of history."

He added: "Staffordshire is honoured to be the site of the German War Graves Cemetery."