South West community champions recognised in New Years Honours List
We've complied a list of the community stalwarts who have impressed The King
Last updated 30th Dec 2023
People from across the South West have been recognised for their selfless service to others - including Glastonbury co-founder Michael Eavis who's been given a knighthood in the King's New Years Honours.
This year, 90 people in the South West received honours, which is just over 7% of the total number of recipients.
High-profile names include Dame Jilly Cooper for services to literature and charity, North Somerset MP Liam Fox, Wetherspoons founder Tim Martin, Cricketer Marcus Trescothick and Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees.
Mr Eavis, 88, joked he may <a class="article-body-link" href="http://The 88-year-old dairy farmer joked he may "take a couple of tickets" in his pocket if the Prince of Wales performs ceremony.">"take a couple of tickets" in his pocket if the Prince of Wales performs the ceremony.
Across the region many community stalwarts have been recognised including Brian Gerry, who is being awarded a BEM for his services to the community in Plymouth. He has worked for the Plymouth Area Police Choir since 1986 and raised around £500,000 through concerts and events.
Brian said: "I'm absolutely overwhelmed by this. It is really important to me that this award is shared will all of the people I've worked with because without them it would never of happened. Music's been my life really, ever since I was a child I've been playing the piano. I want to celebrate it with the Police Choir because it's right that I say thanks to them."
Tim Hewer is also being awarded a BEM for his contribution to beekeeping in Little Stoke, South Gloucestershire. He is an active committee member of the Bristol Branch of Avon Beekeepers Association and for the past ten years he has organised an educational programme for the keeping and understanding of bees.
Tim was also successful in securing a £700 grant used to buy 20 children-sized bee suits, and has been running familiarisation courses at the Apiary for various school, scout and guide groups.
He said: "It was a shock, it's not something that happens in your life everyday."
Tim hopes his award will encourage others to get involved with beekeeping. As part of his educational programme he already works with children and hopes it will inspire them to look after our environment in years to come.
He said: "It's important that they grow up with the knowledge that we need a balanced ecosystem.
"I teach kids who are 5 and 6 years old and they are so enthusiastic, it encourages them to understand what is going on around us."
Members of staff at the University of Bristol are also amongst those being recognised this year.
Clinical scientist, Professor John Iredale, and historian, Professor Ronald Hutton, alumnus Gregory Doran, alumnus and member of staff Sandy Mitchell, and former member of staff, Dr Teame Mebrahtu have been awarded for their significant achievements.
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said he is committed to ensuring people are recognised across the UK, adding: "The New Year’s Honours list recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion.
“To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all.”
WHO HAS BEEN RECOGNISED?
Dame
Jilly COOPER CBE Author. For services to Literature and to Charity (Stroud, Gloucestershire)
Knighthoods/Knights Bachelor
Athelstan Joseph Michael EAVIS CBE Founder and Leader, Glastonbury Festival. For services to Music and to Charity (Glastonbury, Somerset)
Professor John Peter IREDALE FMedSci, FRSE Lately Interim Executive Chair, Medical Research Council. For services to Medical Research (Somerset)
Timothy Randall MARTIN Founder and Chair, Wetherspoons. For services to Hospitality and to Culture (Devon)
Order of the Bath/Companions of the Order of the Bath
Polly Theresa PAYNE Director General, Policy, Department for Culture, Media and Sport. For Public Service (Lechlade, Gloucestershire)
Order of the British Empire/Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Henrietta Rosamund Clare BARKWORTH-NANTON Co-Founder and Patron, The Joanna Simpson Foundation and Chair, Refuge. For services to People Affected by Domestic Abuse and Homicide (Wiltshire)
Catherine Jane Uttley DOVEY Co-Founder, Beacon Collaborative and Director, Rosa Fund. For services to Philanthropy, to Women and Girls, to the Arts and to the Economy (Tiverton, Devon)
Professor Penelope Clare ENDERSBY FREng Chief Executive Officer, Met Office. For services to Meteorology, to Defence Science and to Technology (Newton Abbot, Devon)
Professor Ronald Edmund HUTTON FBA Professor of History, University of Bristol. For services to History (Bristol, City of Bristol)
Professor Margaret Mary RAE Lately President, UK Faculty of Public Health. For services to Public Health and to Public Health Standards (Chippenham, Wiltshire)
John Mark YALLOP Lately Chair, Financial Markets Standards Board. For services to the Financial Sector and to Charity (Totnes, Devon)
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
Nigel Christopher ASHTON Councillor, North Somerset Council. For Political and Public Service (Portishead, Somerset)
Sarah Jane CRESSALL Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Creation Station. For services to Creativity in Education, Entertainment and Business (Exmouth, Devon)
Dr Ruth Louise CROMIE Research Fellow, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. For services to Wetland and Waterbird Conservation (Bristol, City of Bristol)
Amy Louise DONCASTER Deputy Director, Strategy and Future Design, Department for Work and Pensions. For Public Service (Buckfastleigh, Devon)
Colonel (Rtd) Brian Mark GORSKI MBE For services to Museums and to the community in Bury, Greater Manchester (South Molton, Devon)
Dr Kathryn Jean MARKS Deputy Director, Environment Agency. For services to Flood Risk Management and to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (Bristol, Gloucestershire)
Samantha Kate MAYHEW Assistant Principal, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Weston College. For services to Further Education (Nailsea, Somerset)
Dr Teame MEBRAHTU For services to Education, to Refugees and to the community in Bristol (Bristol, City of Bristol)
Dr Jane Patricia MONCKTON-SMITH Professor of Public Protection, University of Gloucestershire. For services to Criminal Justice (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire)
Amy Sarah PERRIN Founder, The Marmalade Trust. For services to Older People (Bristol, City of Bristol)
Marvin REES Mayor, Bristol City Council. For services to Local Government (Gloucestershire)
Steven Ross SAVORY Chief Executive Officer, Gloucestershire Learning Alliance. For services to Education (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire)
Marcus Edward TRESCOTHICK MBE Mental Health Ambassador, Professional Cricketers' Association. For services to Mental Ill Health (Taunton, Somerset)
Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) David Ian WHIMPENNY Lately Board Trustee, The Royal British Legion. For Voluntary Service (Salisbury, Wiltshire)
Zehra ZAIDI For services to International Development, to Humanitarian Action and to Community Cohesion (Longhope, Gloucestershire)
Members of the Order of the British Empire
Anthony John BLOXHAM Member, National Teaching School Council and Lead, South-West National Teaching School Council Representative. For services to Education (Taunton, Somerset)
Penelope Jane BROWN For services to Charity and to the community in Salisbury, Wiltshire (Salisbury, Wiltshire)
Jennifer Sheridan BRYER Teacher, Pony Club. For services to Horse Riding (Yeovil, Somerset)
Julie Patricia FELIX For services to Dance Education (Looe, Cornwall)
Pamela Marguerita FRICKLETON Foster Carer, Plymouth City Council. For services to Young People (Plymouth, Devon)
Peter Thornton FRICKLETON Foster Carer, Plymouth City Council. For services to Young People (Plymouth, Devon)
Syed Jason Andrew GHABOOS Deputy Director, Civil Service Employee Experience, Cabinet Office. For Public Service (Bude, Cornwall)
Adam Peter Ritchie HANDLING Chef, Ambassador of The GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland Campaign. For services to Hospitality and International Trade (St. Ives, Cornwall)
Valda HARRIS (Valda Jackson) Artist. For services to Art (Bristol, City of Bristol)
Philip Hugh Michael HAUGHTON Founder, Better Food. For services to Sustainable Food Initiatives and to the community in Bristol Bristol, City of Bristol)
Richard John LINLEY Lately Senior Inspector of Courses, British Horseracing Authority. For services to Horse Racing (Somerton, Somerset)
Dr Leonard Malcolm LOFTS Patron and Lately Chief Executive, Northam Care Trust. For services to People with Disabilities in Devon (Lincoln, Lincolnshire)
Joanne Elizabeth LOFTUS Lately Civil Secretary, Ministry of Defence. For services to Defence (Warminster, Wiltshire)
Peter MOUNTFORD Lately Executive Chairman, Heropreneurs. For voluntary services to Armed Forces Personnel (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire)
Carys PARRY Voluntary Party Manager, Conservative Party. For Political Service (Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire)
Ruth Beatrice PITTER Member, Anchor Society and Member, Stand Against Racism and Inequality. For services to Equality, to Charity and to the community in Bristol (Bristol, City of Bristol)
Dr Gordon Cameron RICHARDSON Treasurer, Walking Alliance. For services to Disability Access (Bristol, City of Bristol)
Fiona ROBERTS JP Magistrate, Cornwall Bench, South West Region. For services to the Magistracy and the Administration of Justice Camborne, Cornwall)
Alison Melanie SAVAGE Officer Commanding, The Services Cotswold Centre. For services to Military Families (Bath, Somerset)
Dr Andrew STOTT Lately Science Adviser, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. For services to Nature and Climate (Lydney, Gloucestershire)
Professor Peter Alister STOTT Deputy Head of Climate Science and Science Fellow, Met Office. For services to Climate Science (Exeter, Devon)
Alexandra Ellen VINCENT Lately Chief Operating Officer, Arts and Humanities Research Council. For services to Research Funding (Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire)
Keith Norman WALTON Founder, Severnside Community Rail Partnership. For services to Urban Rail Transport in Bristol (Nailsea, Somerset)
Belinda Ann WINSTONE Team Leader, Army Bereavement and Aftercare Services. For services to Military Families (Salisbury, Wiltshire)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire/Bar to the Medal of the Order of the British Empire
Ian John BARNABY Crew and Navigator, Torbay Lifeboat Station, Royal National Lifeboat Institution. For voluntary services to Maritime Safety (Brixham, Devon)
John Robert BOYNE-AITKEN For services to Heritage Crafts Trowbridge, Wiltshire)
Rowland George BUTLER For services to the community in Chard, Somerset (Chard, Somerset)
Sam CAMFIELD Design Manager, South Western Railway. For services to the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (London, Greater London)
Isobel Jennifer CLINK For services to Golf (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire)
Shelley Jane COLEMAN For services to the community in Plymouth, Devon (Plymouth, Devon)
Robert John COLLINS Founder, Pass It On Young Sports Voluntary Youth Organisation. For services to Young People and to Sport (Wraxall, Somerset)
Margaret CORTIS For voluntary and charitable services to the community in Truro, Cornwall (Truro, Cornwall)
Jill Elaine CROOK Director, Nursing, Professional and System Development, NHS England (South West). For services to Transforming Care, Learning Disability and Autism (Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire)
Jean Carol DAVIES Chair and Coach, Saints Netball Club, Truro. For services to Netball and to the community in Cornwall (Redruth, Cornwall)
Ann Doreen May DOODY For services to the community in Ilfracombe, Devon (Ilfracombe, Devon)
Janet Shirley DYER Catering Manager, National Fire Service College. For services to the community in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire (Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire)
Christine Mary GENDALL For services to the community in Penzance, Cornwall (Penzance, Cornwall)
Terence Brian GERRY For services to the community in Plymouth, Devon (Callington, Cornwall)
Godfrey Williams HARRISON For services to the community in Bude-Stratton, Cornwall (Bude, Cornwall)
Stephen Michael HARRISON For services to the Church and to the community in South Petherton, Somerset (South Petherton, Somerset)
Jacqueline Ann HENDRA Social Care Assessor, Devon County Council. For services to People with Disabilities (Plympton, Devon)
Timothy John HEWER For services to Beekeeping in Little Stoke, South Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire)
Robert Alan John ILLMAN For services to Mountain Rescue in Dartmoor, Devon (South Brent, Devon)
Michael George JAYNES Akela, 1st Hatherley Scouts, Cheltenham. For services to Young People and to the community in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire)
Hilary Mary JENKINS For services to the community in Wiltshire, particularly during Covid-19 (Salisbury, Wiltshire)
Patricia Ellen JONES For services to the community in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire (Stonehouse, Gloucestershire)
Dr Christopher John KENT Organist. For services to Music and Musicology (Chippenham, Wiltshire)
Gwendoline May KINGDON For services to the community in South Molton, Devon (South Molton, Devon)
Jane LOVEYS Director, Campus Services, University of Bath. For services to Higher Education (Bath, Somerset)
Harry Charles Lawrence MEADE For services to the community in Goathurst, Somerset Bridgwater, Somerset)
Stephen Brian MICHAEL For services to the community in Kingsand, Cornwall (Torpoint, Cornwall)
Norman Alexander MITCHELL Chair of Trustees, Lockleaze Sports Centre. For services to Sport in Bristol (Bristol, City of Bristol)
Kathleen Mary PRIDEAUX For services to the community in Allerford, Somerset (Minehead, Somerset)
Pamela Mary Joyce SCULL (Pamela Wingfield) Founder Principal, Wingfield School of Ballet and Dance. For services to Dance and to the community in Bristol (Bristol, City of Bristol)
Sanjay SHAMBHU Councillor, South Gloucestershire Council and Chair, BAME Conservatives. For Political Service (Patchway, Gloucestershire)
Ian Robert SKINNER For services to the community in Sidmouth and the Sid Valley, Devon (Sidmouth, Devon)
Cheryl Barbara SMITH Leader, Girlguiding Cornwall. For services to Young People (Plymouth, Devon)
Hayley Marie WATSON For services to the community in Exmouth, Devon, particularly during Covid-19 (Exmouth, Devon)