Chichester councillor ‘blown away’ by MBE honour

A long-serving Chichester councillor says she was “blown away” after being made an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.

A long-serving Chichester councillor says she was “blown away” after being made an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Councillor Clare Apel, who has served local communities and residents for more than 40 years, has been recognised for services to the voluntary sector, local government and Holocaust education.

Clare has been Chair of Chichester District Council since 2023 and has been part of the Chichester community since 1967. Her first involvement in local politics began in 1987, and she has represented residents at both district and city council level. She also served as mayor between 1996 and 1997.

Clare said: “I’m very honoured obviously and I think it shows people that if you are in local government, it’s important to have a real passion to help the community and other people. It’s nice that this is recognising that a local councillor in the community is a good asset. I have done a lot of voluntary work over the years and met some amazing people doing extraordinary work out in the community.”

Her work in the voluntary sector includes helping to found Stonepillow in 1989, the Chichester charity which supports homeless people. She has continued to champion the organisation and helped raise thousands of pounds for its work.

"Homelessness can literally affect anyone - for a whole range of reasons - and it's important that there is someone there to help pick you up and offer you the support you need if this happens," says Clare.

She is also a founder of ‘Chichester Marks Holocaust Memorial Day’, which has been running since 2015. Clare and her husband Ralph are both children of Jewish parents, and many of their relatives died in the Holocaust.

“Chichester Marks Holocaust Memorial Day was started by Martin Bell, a previous district councillor, Trevor James myself and my husband, and the work we do educating schoolchildren is so important. We work to educate them about genocide, human rights abuses, racism and awful things that happen to people. I believe that however awful the Holocaust was, it’s incredibly important that we can take a story that has happened to our family, and if you do it in the right way it can have an amazing effect on children.”

Cllr Adrian Moss, Leader of Chichester District Council, said: “We are extremely proud of Clare becoming an MBE, it is so very well deserved,” says Cllr Adrian Moss, Leader of Chichester District Council. "She has been a real part of the community, and has made her life all about helping to make the lives of those around her better. She has a great warmth and compassion which is clear to see in all the work that has been involved in. Although she has faced her own personal challenges over the years, Clare has still continued to give to her local communities and create positive change within the areas she serves and the district is lucky to have someone who cares so much about the people in their community. As a colleague and friend I am privileged to work alongside her.”

Clare adds: “The day that I found out about the MBE I had met a friend for coffee. When I came home my husband said to me why don’t you sit down at the table and then he gave me the letter - I was absolutely blown away, I never expected it! It’s been such a pleasure and honour to serve on the city and district council. They are such amazing places, with incredible people - and so it really is an honour to be recognised in this way.”

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