Queen honours Devon folk in New Year’s Honours List

A WATCH manager at the Central and Western control room of Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is made an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

Father of three, Dave Honeywill, 64, a widower, follows in his late father’s footsteps. Samuel Honeywill, former mayor of Exeter, was also made an MBE.

Dave joined the fire service in 1970, working shifts, and volunteers with the WRVS, helping at Exminster Hospital and with Meals on Wheels.

“It was during one of these days that I found an ex-fireman and put him in touch with the then benevolent fund, and through them was able to ensure his standard of living was given an unexpected boost,” said Dave.

He also drove a minibus for Devonian Orthopaedic Association to take residents with multiple sclerosis on trips, and transport them from a holiday centre in Exmouth until 2000, when his wife, June, became ill.

In 1980 he took on the role of benevolent representative for the control room and was appointed to the service council, is a home visitor for the Fire Fighters Charity and set up an E-bay shop raising funds for it.

Dave, who is due to retire in April, said he was: “delighted and honoured” to receive the MBE for services to the fire and rescue service and local community.

• Devon County Council’s road safety manager Peter Gimber receives an OBE for services to local government.