Dorset people named on Queen's New Year's Honours list
A number of local residents have been recognised by Her Majesty
Last updated 31st Dec 2020
The New Year's Honours list has been released, with a number of famous faces recognised - such as Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, who's made a Sir; Coronation Street actress Sally Dynevor, who's awarded an MBE; as is singer Craig David; and actors Shelia Hancock becomes a Dame, with CBEs for Lesley Manville and Toby Jones.
But the list is mostly made up of people in local communities who do their bit to support the areas they live in, or might have excelled in their area of work without us really knowing.
In Dorset, award recipients include Natalie Clein from Swanage, who gets an OBE.
She's a cellist and has been honoured for services to music.
Jonathan Carter from Weymouth receives an MBE for services to 'naval operational effectiveness' - he's the Chief Engineer Stealth at Atlas Elektronik.
There's also British Empire Medals for some Dorset people, such as Ian Brown, a volunteer coastguard station officer in Swanage.
He's told Greatest Hits Radio that getting the honour was a big surprise:
"In these difficult times, I actually got a phone call, rather than a letter and was totally shocked! In real terms, I'm honoured as well, on behalf of a lot of people that I work with - it's a true honour."
Sherborne resident Anne Chadwick Dearle receives a BEM for her efforts as a fundraising volunteer for Save the Children.
Patricia Wheatley from Blandford, who's the Chief Executive Officer of Disability Arts Online gets the same honour for services to disabled artists during Covid-19
An award's also gone to Mark Warn, a Wildlife Ranger for Forestry England.
He played a key role in helping Wareham Forest recover from a devastating fire in May:
"I feel very privileged to have helped Forestry England to manage the habitats in Dorset for so many years, I consider myself to have the best job in the world! It's quite humbling to have been recognised in this way."
The Chief Fire Officer for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Ben Ansell, has been given the Queen's Fire Service Medal. He said:
"I am honoured and delighted to have been recognised with a Queen’s Fire Service Medal. I am proud to lead Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. This honour is truly a testament to the professionalism and dedication of all staff from across the Service that enables us to achieve all that we do. I would like to thank my colleagues, family and friends for their support during my career."
The same recognition has gone to Area Manager Andy Cole, who said:
"I am so pleased to have been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen with a Queen’s Fire Service Medal. This year has been extremely difficult for so many people and organisations, and the fire service is no different. We have had to adapt and work in completely different ways to continue providing the public with the high standard of service they expect from us. This has involved innovative thinking from staff and managers, and I am proud to lead and be involved with this excellent work."