Dorset people named in King's Birthday Honours List

Nine of the county's residents have been recognised

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 14th Jun 2024

A number of people in Dorset have been recognised as part of the King's Birthday Honours List, released on Friday night (14th June).

The overall list includes some famous faces, like actress Imelda Staunton - who played the late Queen Elizabeth II in drama series The Crown, and Alan Bates - the subpostmaster who led the campaign to have criminal convictions overturned in the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.

7.4% of the recipients are from the South West, with nine of them hailing from Dorset.

They include ex footballer and TV pundit, Graeme Souness, who lives in Poole and has been awarded a CBE for services to association football and charity.

Graeme Souness is being honoured for his services to football and charity

There's an MBE for Anthony Alderson Baverstock for services to young people for his role as the Chair of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Gillingham.

David Corben from Swanage receives an MBE for Voluntary Service to the RNLI.

He is currently chair of the Lifeboat Management Group at Swanage Lifeboat Station, has been credited with saving 566 lives across more than 2,750 launches, and his collective fundraising efforts have raised approximately £50,000 during his tenure.

An MBE has been given to Dr Patrick John Vibart Dixon, from Weymouth, who's the founder, a volunteer and an ambassador for ACET UK - his award is for services to HIV and AIDS care.

Food writer, cookery teacher and chef Charlotte Elizabeth Pike from Wimborne has also got an MBE for services to food education.

British Empire Medals have been awarded to Robert Franks, for services to young people and the community in Poole.

Geoffrey Haywood from Wimborne is awarded a BEM for voluntary services to veterans for his role as a committee member for the Poole branch of the Royal Marines Association.

The wife of former Poole MP Michael Tomlinson, Frances Tomlinson-Mynors gets a BEM for Parliamentary and Political Service, for organising the Conservative MPs Wives, Husbands and Partners Group.

And there's a BEM for Sharon Wood from Bournemouth - she's the chair of the technical committee of British Gymnastics - and is honoured for services to trampoline gymnastics.

Alan Bates has been knighted in recognition of his campaigning work highlighting the Post Office Horizon scandal.

Strictly's Amy Dowden has accepted being made an MBE for her services to Crohn's disease "on behalf" of all those who live with the inflammatory bowel disease.

Actress Imelda Staunton and fashion accessories designer Anya Hindmarch were made dames in the list

The highest award went to Gordon Brown who was made a Companion of Honour,

Artist Tracey Emin was made a Dame alongside Imelda Staunton. Dame Tracey, who is known for her autobiographical and confessional artwork, said: "Dame Tracey has a good ring to it. I'm very, very happy. Another brilliant surprise in my life."

Countdown's lexicographer Susie Dent was given an MBE, as was singer Rebecca Ferguson

Duran Duran singer Simon Le Bon said being made an MBE was "incredible" and "totally unexpected".
He added: "These last few years have been some of the most important in Duran Duran's career, and this is a bright but humbling highlight as our journey continues."

Founding member of M People, as well as a successful solo artist, Heather Small has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's Birthday Honours for her voluntary and charitable services.

Soap star Shobna Gulati has become a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the cultural industries.

Cycling sprint star Mark Cavendish, 39, who is on the overseas list under his Isle of Man address, said he was "truly humbled" to be knighted.

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