More than a dozen people from across Devon have been named in the New Year Honours list, including a 90-year-old judo expert, a Royal Navy officer and a senior Met Office scientist.
The New Year Honours recognise people from across the UK for achievements and service in public life, education, charity, business and community work. Awards are approved by the King following recommendations from the Prime Minister and the honours committees.
Professor Stephen Ernest Belcher, who leads the scientific programme at the Met Office in Exeter, has been appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to climate science.
He is joined by Martin Lynn Davies, chair of Honiton-based charity Cosmic, who has been awarded a CBE for services to employment provision for people with disabilities.
Among the oldest recipients is David Rodney Allen, 90, the western area president of the British Judo Association and senior coach at Exmouth Vikings, who receives a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to judo.
Mr Allen, a 5th Dan black belt, has practised the sport since 1965.
Diane Mary Fuller, lately chair of the Sidmouth Health and Care Forum, receives a BEM for services to the community in Sidmouth and the Sid Valley.
A former teacher and senior manager in further education, she has lived in Sidmouth since 2006 and worked as an educational consultant until she retired in 2011. She also chaired the forum until 2020 and led the town’s GP Practice Patient Participation Group for five years.
John Vincent, owner of The Network, a knowledge-sharing organisation focused on tackling social exclusion, receives a BEM for services to public libraries.
In Ottery St Mary, Victoria Louise Seymour is awarded a BEM for services to skills and learning.
Jonathan Bishop, chief executive officer and executive headteacher of Cornerstone Academy Trust, receives an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to education.
Beyond East Devon, Royal Navy officer Angie Cheal, a 51-year-old mother of two from Plymouth, is awarded an MBE for her work supporting the physical rehabilitation and mental wellbeing of naval personnel at the Devonport Naval Base.
Vanessa Claire Ford, from Totnes, chief executive of South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, receives an MBE for services to mental health nursing. Professor Christopher Jeremy Tredwin, from Yelverton, is also awarded an MBE for services to general practice dentistry.
Other Devon recipients, all receiving BEMs, include Commodore Stephen Thorne RD, from Cullompton; Samantha Louise Abrahams, founder and musical director of La La Choirs; Gillian Rebecca Ainslie, a tutor and assessor at Plymouth Life Centre Bowls Club; Charlotte Anne Luckett, principal surveyor at the Valuation Office Agency, from Bideford; Lesley-Ann Joy Simpson, chief executive of The Chestnut Appeal, from Plymouth; and David Harry Stembridge KC, for services to the community in Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo.
Share