It's the King's Official Birthday this weekend which means that along with the pomp and pageantry of Trooping of the Colour, people from across Wales and the UK have been honoured. From a war veteran to an 81-year-old nurse still volunteering , there are people from all sorts of professions featured on the list for Wales.
The list rewards the accomplishments of extraordinary people from all backgrounds across the whole of the UK, all have whom have made contributions to public life and their communities. This year's list there are CBEs to deputy chief medical officer in Wales Christopher Jones, for his services to healthcare and to Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt for her political and public service.
From the world of sport, there is double Paralympian and double World Champion archer and the vice-chair of Sport Wales, Pippa Britton who has been given an OBE. And a British Empire Medal (BEM) for John Griffiths from Swansea Harriers Athletics Club, a well-respected athletics coach in the Swansea area who has dedicated over 60 years of his life to volunteering within the sport as a coach, official and competition organiser. Among the athletes he has coached are Non Stanford, Hayley Tullet and Dai Greene, all of whom have enjoyed success on the global stage.
Mr Griffiths said: "I first became involved in athletics in 1959 through the Cockett Boys Club and about three years later the leader suggested we set up a separate athletics club. I'm one of the founding members, we set up the Swansea Harriers in 1962 and I'm still involved in coaching."
An 81-year-old nurse who started her career when she was 17 and still volunteers has also been awarded the British Empire Medal by King Charles in this year’s honours list. Christine Culleton from New Inn in Pontypool has dedicated her whole life to helping others.
Asked what has driven her career, she said: "I think the drive has to be inside of you. It’s just the way you are. We’ve had good and bad days, but days are never the same and that’s the beauty of this job."
Kingsley Ward, founder of the world-famous Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, has received an MBE for his services to music - Wales' rock and roll dairy farm. In the six decades since its conception, Rockfield, a residential recording studio which started out as a dairy farm, has become a holy grail for musicians. The mysterious and magical mecca has acquired as many notorious stories as it has hit records.
Described by Coldplay’s Chris Martin as “Musical Hogwarts” and by Liam Gallgher as “The Big Brother House with tunes”, the extraordinary story of Rockfield Studios started with Kingsley and and his brother Charles Ward, who created one of the world’s most famous recording studios on the dairy farm in the 1960s.
It went on to be the place where Queen wrote Bohemian Rhapsody and saw everyone from Ozzy Osbourne to Robert Plant, Queen to The Stone Roses, Bowie and Iggy Pop to Oasis record there.
Also receiving an MBE, former Department for Work and Pensions employee Andrea Harford from Aberdare has been praised for her dedication to supporting people with autism. Andrea, whose son has autism, started working as an administrative assistant when she was 18 years old and spent the last 22 years of her career as a Jobcentre manager. She worked to ensure Aberdare Jobcentre was accredited by the National Autistic Society as an autism-friendly Jobcentre - the first in Wales.
Sharing how she felt when she received a letter telling her she had been awarded an MBE, she said: "I couldn't believe my eyes when I received the award letter. It’s been difficult knowing about it for so long and not being able to tell anybody about it!"
"I was absolutely thrilled and very proud to be nominated and felt very humble that the work I had undertaken during the last 42 years in DWP was being recognised in this way," she added. "I have always been very passionate about the work I do, working for an organisation that affects the lives of so many vulnerable people and my role gave me the opportunity to make a difference."
Another recipient of the MBE is Roger Burnell, who has received the honour for his services to the Creative Industries. Mr Burnell founded It's My Shout training scheme in 2001 while working as Director of Theatre at Bridgend County Council and has been praised for mentoring young people and supporting them in the creative industries.
Prior to his work as Director of Theatre, Mr Burnell was an actor, having trained at the Welsh College of Music and Drama, where he won the Principal’s Prize, and as a teacher he established one of the first Drama departments in Wales at Porthcawl Comprehensive School. He has also mentored hundreds of students, including stars Rob Brydon and Ruth Jones, over the years.
Whilst working for Bridgend County Council, Mr Burnell set up It’s My Shout Film and Television Training Scheme - a scheme which has supported more than 8,000 people from socially-deprived communities across Wales build their confidence and self-esteem and gain experience in the film and television industry. Hundreds of people now working in the industry gained professional experience through the scheme, including writers, directors, producers, crew, production, editors, musicians, presenters and actors.
Reflecting on his award, Mr Burnell said: "I am deeply honoured. This is recognition of the need for the Creative Industries to be inclusive, and to be representative of a diverse and vibrant society. Wales has so much to offer; so much untapped potential. We need to ensure that people feel empowered to take their rightful place in an exciting future for the Welsh Film and Television Industry."
Also on the King's Birthday Honours list is war veteran Denzil Connick from Blackwood, who has been awarded the BEM. He co-founded the South Atlantic Medal Association, for his voluntary service to Falklands War Veterans. He served in the Falklands Conflict of 1982 with the Parachute Regiment, when he was seriously wounded by an enemy shell on Mount Longdon.
Another recipient of the BEM is Christine Horton, from Llansantffraid in Powys, who has worked for 40 years as the head housekeeper at Bryngwyn Hall, contributing to the restoration of this important part of Welsh heritage. There is also an MBE for Paul Jeffrey Leach from Colwyn Bay who has developed and led the dental service for vulnerable children in north west Wales for almost 20 years.
The first King’s Birthday Honours List recognises the achievements of these and many other people from every corner of Wales as well as other parts of the UK.
Footballer Ian Wright, fashion editor Dame Anna Wintour and author Ian McEwan are among the famous faces recognised. The highest awards went to Vogue editor-in-chief Dame Anna and Booker Prize-winning novelist McEwan, who were made Companions of Honour alongside Professor Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at the University of Oxford. In the showbiz world, Line Of Duty actress Vicky McClure, television presenter Davina McCall and veteran broadcaster Ken Bruce were made MBEs.
Meanwhile, former England and Arsenal footballer-turned-pundit Wright was made an OBE, while late author Sir Martin Amis was knighted a day before he died last month aged 73. The oldest recipient, 106-year-old Joan Willett, was given a British Empire Medal for her charitable fundraising for the British Heart Foundation, while the youngest, Junior Jay Frood, 18, received the same honour for services to vulnerable children.
Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said: “It is incredibly inspiring to hear about the extraordinary and invaluable work of so many people from across Wales who have deservedly been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. Welsh recipients from a wide range of fields have been recognised, whether it’s for their commitment to their local community, their contribution to sport, education, culture or health – and I’m thrilled that their endeavours have been commended. I would like to congratulate all the recipients being honoured and thank each and every one for their contribution.”
More than half (52%) of the recipients are people who showed "outstanding work" in their communities, either in a voluntary or paid capacity, which was a core focus behind this year's list, according to those behind the selection process.
Exactly half (50.0%) of the recipients are women - down slightly from last year (51.5%), but the third year in a row when females have made up at least half of the Birthday Honours list.
Some 11.0% go to people from an ethnic minority background, down from 13.3% last year and 15.0% in 2021. This is still higher than the level during the 2010s, however. The proportion of recipients who are disabled or have a long-term health condition is 13.0%, a jump from 9.3% in 2022.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: "This year's honours list is a testament to ordinary people who have demonstrated extraordinary community spirit, and I pay tribute to all those who have been recognised today.
"Our honours system has long been a way of recognising people who make an incredible contribution to life in Britain and beyond."
Here is the full list for Wales:
Carmarthenshire
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Professor Medwin Hughes DL. Vice-Chancellor, University of Wales and University of Wales Trinity St David Group. For services to Education and to the Welsh Language. (Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire)
Clwyd
MBE
Alan Edward Jones. Lately Chairman and Consultant, The Village Bakery. For services to the Food Industry and to the Economy in Wales. (Wrexham, Clwyd)
Paul Jeffrey Leach. Paediatric and Special Care Dentist. For services to Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in North West Wales. (Colwyn Bay, Clwyd)
Dyfed
MBE
Dr Gareth Lloyd Jones. For services to Sport and Exercise Medicine in Wales. (Carmarthen, Dyfed)
Gwent
OBE
Ceinwen Blake. Deputy Director, Corporate Information Technology and Services, Office for National Statistics. For Public Service. (Newport, Gwent)
Pippa Britton. Lately Vice-Chair, UK Anti-Doping and Vice-Chair Sport Wales. For services to Sport. (Newport, Gwent)
Michael Kenneth Claridge. Operations and Customer Interface Team Leader, Defence Equipment and Support, Ministry of Defence. For services to Defence. (Chepstow, Gwent)
Janet Davies. For services to Healthcare in Wales. (Caldicott, Gwent)
MBE
Delyth Eirian Done. Head of School, School of Materials and Design, Hereford College of Arts. For services to Blacksmithing and to Heritage Crafts. (Abergavenny, Gwent)
Elizabeth Angela Lalley. Director of Risk, Resilience and Community Safety, Welsh Government. For services to the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. (Monmouth, Gwent)
Professor Helen Eileen Langton. Vice-Chancellor, University of Suffolk. For services to Education. (Chepstow, Gwent)
Robb Merchant. Owner, White Castle Vineyard. For services to Viticulture. (Monmouthshire, Gwent)
Richard Anthony Selby DL. Managing Director Pro Steel Engineering and National Chair, Institute of Directors. For services to the Economy and to Charity in Wales. (Pontypool, Gwent)
Kingsley Cyril Ward. Founder, Rockfield Studios. For services to Music. (Monmouth, Gwent)
BEM
Glyn Caron. For services to the community in Llanyravon, Cwmbran. (Torfaen, Gwent)
Denzil Connick. Co-Founder and Life Vice President, South Atlantic Medal Association. For voluntary service to Falklands War Veterans. (Blackwood, Gwent)
Ian Jeffrey Cross. Customer Service Adviser, HM Revenue and Customs. For services to the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust. (Pontypool, Gwent)
Christine Ann Culleton. Lately Community Nurse, Aneurin Bevan Health Board. For services to the NHS in South East Wales. (Pontypool, Gwent)
King's Police Medal (KPM)
Wendy Keepin. lately Inspector, Gwent Police. (Gwent)
Gwynedd
MBE
John Livesey Hender Bate. For services to the Talyllyn Railway, Wales. (Aberdyfi, Gwynedd)
Professor Philip Michael Dickens. Founder, Added Scientific. For services to the Additive Manufacturing Sector. (Pwllheli, Gwynedd)
Mid Glamorgan
OBE
Neil Frow. Managing Director, NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership. For services to NHS Wales. (Aberdare, Mid Glamorgan)
David Roger Griffiths. For services to Association Football in Wales. (Maesteg, Mid Glamorgan)
MBE
Malcolm Roger Burnell. Founder, It's My Shout Productions. For services to the Creative Industries in Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan. (Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan)
Andrea Harford. Lately Work Coach Team Leader, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to People with Autism. (Aberdare, Mid Glamorgan)
David William Heyburn. Head of Operations Microbiology and Health Protection, Public Health Wales. For services to the NHS. (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan)
William Peter Upham. Executive Director, Growing Space. For services to Mental Health in Newport, Wales. (Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan)
BEM
Robert Lewis. Special Inspector, South Wales Police Special Constabulary. For services to Policing. (Treharris, Mid Glamorgan)
North Wales
KPM
Amanda Jane Blakeman. Chief Constable, North Wales Police. (North Wales)
Pembrokeshire
MBE
Thomas Kingsley Hall. Welfare Support Officer, BLESMA. For services to Veterans in Wales. (Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire)
Powys
CBE
Professor Christopher John Hugh Jones. Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Welsh Government. For services to Healthcare. (Brecon, Powys)
OBE
Christopher John Jenkins. Lately Chief Executive Officer, Commonwealth Games Wales. For services to the Commonwealth Games and to Sport in Wales. (Crickhowell, Powys)
MBE
Valerie Margaret Hawkins. Chief Executive Officer, Mid Wales Tourism. For services to Tourism and to the Economy in Wales. (Newtown, Powys)
BEM
Christine Horton. Controller and Housekeeper, Bryngwyn Hall. For services to Heritage and to Charity in Wales. (Llansantffraid, Powys)
South Glamorgan
CBE
Jane Elizabeth Hutt MS. Minister for Social Justice, Welsh Government and Senedd Member for Vale of Glamorgan. For Political and Public Service. (Barry, South Glamorgan)
OBE
Vincent James Bailey. Lately Leader, Conservative Group, Vale of Glamorgan Council. For Political, Voluntary and Charitable services. (Barry, South Glamorgan)
Jonathan Simon Cox. Deputy Director, Citizens UK. For services to Community Organising and Refugee Resettlement. (Llantwit Major, South Glamorgan)
Anju Kumar. Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. For services to Women's Health and Welfare in Wales. (Cardiff, South Glamorgan)
MBE
Alison Ryland. Lately Head of Healthcare, HM Prisons Usk and Prescoed, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. For services to Prison Healthcare in Monmouthshire. (Cardiff, South Glamorgan)
Sarah Isobel Sharpe. Lately Support Staff Member, National Assembly for Wales. For Political and Public Service. (Penarth, South Glamorgan)
BEM
Sian Margaret Johnson. For services to Squash in Wales. (Cardiff, South Glamorgan). Sian has a rich history in the squash world and still competes internationally. At one point she was the most capped woman in Wales, is in the Guinness Book Of World Records for one of the fastest squash finals, and is currently working for Squash Wales coaching young coaches, as well as going to schools to teach children squash and coaching the Cardiff University team.
Michael Graham Wheeler. Dental Hygienist and Dental Workforce Lead Tutor, Health Education England. For services to Oral Health in South West England. (Llantwit Major, South Glamorgan)
West Glamorgan
MBE
Elizabeth Anne Rix. Chief Nurse, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. For services to Nursing Leadership. (Swansea, West Glamorgan)
BEM
John Leslie Stuart Griffiths. Coach, Swansea Harriers Athletics Club. For services to Athletics in Wales. (Swansea, West Glamorgan)
Also
MBE
Non Rhiannydd Stanford. For services to Triathlon in Wales. (Leeds, West Yorkshire)
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