Brandon Jones, founder of Gay Sitges Link and the Sitges English Theatre Company, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the British Community in Sitges, in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List, published on Thursday.
The longstanding co-owner of Casablanca cocktail bar, Brandon is a stalwart of the LGBTI+ community in Sitges. He invests much of his time and energy into a variety of local charitable and cultural projects, often using the bar as the venue for his fundraising efforts.
In 1999, Brandon founded, and later became Chairman of, The Sitges English Theatre Company. In 2011, he co-founded Gay Sitges Link to provide help and assistance to the LGBTI+ community, and with his support it has grown exponentially to offer emotional, psychological and legal support, rapid HIV testing and social activities.
He is also a key proponent of cultural interchange. In 2012, he launched the Irish-Catalan Festival in Sitges, celebrating Irish culture and bringing over 700 visitors from the island of Ireland each year. And, building on this success he launched the Welsh-Catalan Festival in 2019, promoting historical and cultural links between Wales and Catalonia.
British Ambassador to Spain Hugh Elliott said: ‘Brandon is a true cultural ambassador and his annual festivals have strengthened links between the UK and Spain; in particular between Wales and the island of Ireland, and Catalonia. But it is for his pioneering charity work with Gay Sitges Link that Brandon most deserves to be recognised. The association’s motto is “The Pride of Creating Community” and Brandon has been key to making that happen – bringing together likeminded individuals to create a resource for the community, including the tens of thousands of LGBTI+ visitors who come to Sitges each year. This honour is very richly deserved.’
Brandon Jones said: ‘Having grown up in the Rhondda Valley in South Wales and as a former keen rugby player, the importance of team and community spirit are part of my DNA. That’s why I’m always keen to help people integrate into the wonderful creative, cosmopolitan community here in Sitges. And to have received an award for something that just comes naturally to me is both a delight and an honour.’
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