King Charles’ Birthday Honours list: Gloucestershire heroes shine

Numerous Gloucestershire heroes have been recognised for their outstanding achievements in King Charles’ Birthday Honours list. Charity workers, emergency service workers and educators from the region are among those celebrated in the list which also includes Post Office campaigner Alan Bates and former prime minister Gordon Brown.

The list honours the incredible accomplishments of around 1,000 people from across the UK, recognising their contributions and achievements in their various fields. Alongside celebrities and famous figureheads, the King has celebrated a number of local heroes.

The highest award went to Mr Brown who was made a Companion of Honour, while Sir Alan was knighted in recognition of his campaigning work which highlighted the Post Office Horizon scandal. Emin, actress Imelda Staunton and fashion accessories designer Anya Hindmarch were all made dames in the list, while writer Armando Iannucci was made a CBE and cyclist Mark Cavendish was knighted.

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Over 1,000 individuals from across the UK were recognised in Friday’s honours list. Sir Alan, founder of Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance and portrayed by Toby Jones in an ITV drama about the scandal, expressed his gratitude for his knighthood.

The former subpostmaster, who had previously declined an OBE honour, shared with the PA news agency: “The time I was asked about the OBE… I felt it would have been quite offensive to many of the group if I’d accepted it. But I do know that I’ve had hundreds of emails and letters of support over the years and a lot of people do seem to think that I should receive some sort of recognition for the work that I’ve done for them or on their behalf.”

“I know I’m the recipient of it and all the rest of it, but it’s on behalf of the group as well and recognition of the horrendous things that have happened to them and the story’s not over yet.”

Sir Alan highlighted that many people were “still suffering” and the campaigners would return to the courts if necessary, adding “if we need to raise the funding for doing such a thing, I’m sure the nation will support us”.

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

• Elizabeth Mary Alice Pitman (Elizabeth Noel). Lately Non-Executive Board Member and Government Reviewer, Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. For services to Government. (Cirencester, Gloucestershire)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

• Alexandra Jane Castle (Ally Castle). For services to Inclusivity and Diversity in Broadcasting. (Cirencester, Gloucestershire)
• Desra Emma Cruise. Founder and Director, Portable Toilets Ltd. For services to Innovation and Outdoor Events Sustainability. (Chepstow, Gloucestershire)
• Charles Edward Dobson. Co-Founder, The Starfish Trust. For charitable services to Children and Young Adults Living with Disabilities and Life-Threatening Illnesses. (Gloucestershire)
• Mary Dobson. Co-Founder, The Starfish Trust. For charitable services to Children and Young Adults Living with Disabilities and Life-Threatening Ilnesses. (Gloucestershire)
• Jamila Elizabeth Gavin. Writer. For services to Children’s Literature. (Stroud, Gloucestershire)
• Caroline Gould. Founder, Vale Wildlife Hospital. For services to Wildlife Rehabilitation. (Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire)
• Robert William Frank Griffin. Founder and Chief Executive, Tomcat UK. For services to Engineering Innovation and to People with Disabilities. (Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire)
• Susan Jennifer Rawle Middleton. His Majesty’s Verderer, The Forest of Dean. For services to Forestry. (Coleford, Gloucestershire)
• Nigel James Oatway. Access Manager, DB Cargo (UK) Ltd. For services to Transport. (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire)
• Laura Ruth Robbins. Chair, The Royal Air Force Widows’ Association. For voluntary service to RAF Widows. (Gloucestershire)
• Kim Pamela Jane Roberts. Chief Executive, HENRY. For services to Childhood Obesity Prevention. (Stroud, Gloucestershire)
• Nicola Ann Secker. Senior Employee Relations Manager, HM Prison and Probation Service. For services to Employee Relations, particularly Employees Living with a Terminal Illness. (Gloucester, Gloucestershire)
• Nicola Wynne. Director of Development, St Paul’s Cathedral. For services to Heritage and to Charity, particularly the Remember Me Project. (Lechlade-on-Thames, Gloucestershire)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

• Peter John Best. For services to Steam and Heritage Railways. (Tetbury, Gloucestershire)
• Catherine Susan Coombs. President, Junior Coach, Manager and Child Welfare Officer, Redland Ladies Hockey Club. For services to Hockey in Bristol. (Gloucestershire)
• Brian Lincoln Eastoe. For services to Woodcarving and to Charity. (Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire)
• Pauline Mary Farman. For services to the community in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. (Cirencester, Gloucestershire)
• David Paynter. Reserve Manager, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge Wetland Centre. For services to Wildlife Conservation. (Sharpness, Gloucestershire)

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

• Vice-Chancellor of the Uni of Gloucestershire – Clare Kelly Marchant. Lately Chief Executive, Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. For services to Higher Education. (Malvern, Worcestershire)