MBE for long-serving Chichester District councillor
Published 13:17 on 22 Jun 2026
A Chichester councillor, who has been serving local communities and residents for more than 40 years said was blown away to learn of her MBE in the King's Birthday Honours.
Councillor Clare Apel, who has been Chair of Chichester District Council since 2023, was appointed an MBE for services to the voluntary sector, to local government and to Holocaust education.
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.
A part of the community in Chichester since 1967, Clare's first foray into local politics started in 1987, and over the years has represented her community at both the district and city councils and she was mayor 1996 - 1997.
Her firm belief in human dignity and rights led her to become a founding trustee of Stonepillow in 1989, a charity in Chichester which helps homeless people to transform their lives. She used to meet with 'the most amazing group of people', who would gather in her house every month to come up with ways to raise money for Stonepillow. She has been a key champion of this charity ever since, working with others to raise thousands of pounds to support this vital organisation.
"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 has been a member of the Chichester Singers since 1980, the Friends of Chartres since the 1970s, the local Amnesty branch for more than 30 years and is a founder of 'Chichester Marks Holocaust Memorial Day. The day, which has been running since 2015 has a very special place in her heart. Both Clare and her husband, Ralph, are the children of Jewish parents, and many of their relatives died in the Holocaust. This has made them both passionate about communicating this history and educating young people about what happened.
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.
Clare also played a huge role throughout the pandemic, working closely with local residents' associations to make sure that people were aware of the support that was available. She is still involved with Stonepillow, although not as a trustee anymore, until recently was involved with the Chichester Welfare Trust which supports families in need.
There's a theme to the causes that I have been involved with, and a number of the organisations that I been involved with support children. Life can be so unfair for some people and so it's important that we can help.
In addition, Clare is currently the District Council's Trustee for Pallant House Gallery, and takes a particular interest in the gallery's community programme which she describes as extraordinary.
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.