A total of 5 Islanders have been recognised for their varying contributions to society in the New Year Honours list, which has been revealed tonight (Friday).
Ian David Ward, 66, a retired Army officer and Isle of Wight councillor has been given an BEM for his services to community transport.
The Sandown resident, who was elected a councillor in the town back in 2013, is the Director of the Isle of Wight Community Bus Partnership. The partnership was set up in 2011 to provide bus services to communities on the Island using volunteer drivers, reconnecting towns and villages.
For services to maritime safety and the community, 58-year-old Glyn Ellis from Shanklin is to receive an MBE.
Over the last 19 years Mr Ellis has transformed the way the RNLI maintains and builds inshore lifeboats around the UK to improve quality and safety standards for volunteer crew. As Operations Manager of the Inshore Lifeboat Centre in East Cowes, Glyn ensures the 30 lifeboats built and the 60 lifeboats re-fitted each year are of the highest quality.
Mr Ellis carries out constant voluntary service, delivering inspirational talks to children or local businesses, towing lifeboats to events and promoting water safety. The fundraising board on the Island hold him in very high regard, presenting him with a unique honorary award in recognition of his exceptional efforts.
Glyn said:
“It was unbelievable to hear that I would be given an MBE. It had never crossed my mind that I would ever get something like it. It’s actually rather bittersweet as my dad, who was a great fan of the royals, died last year. But I know he’d be hugely proud.
Article continues below this advertisement “I’m really lucky – I have the best job in the world! Every day I get to work with a great team, building fantastic, high quality boats. The lifeboat crews are out there, risking their lives to save others – without getting paid – so we need to make sure they have the best boats possible.”
Receiving the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community is 65-year-old Gillian Frances Burnett from Ryde.
Since 1998 Mrs Burnett has been Treasurer of the Isle of Wight Historical Association and has brought a very professional and personal attitude to the organisation and the financial matters of the branch. She has increased the membership from around 150 to 200 members, kept meticulous financial records and initiated and implemented many changes of great benefit to the welfare and development of the organisation.
For a period of 5 years Mrs Burnett was voluntary Treasurer at Carisbrooke Castle Museum Trust and here she ensured that the Museum had a financial plan that would secure its future for Islanders. Since 2014 she has been a Trustee of the Museum and since 2009 she has arranged concerts given by the Phoenix Choir in aid of different charities.
Mrs Alison Linda Beane from Freshwater has been awarded an OBE for services to education in her role as Executive Headteacher at Mary Rose Academy, Cliffdale Primary Academy and Redwood Park Academy in Portsmouth. She is also a Director of Solent Academies Trust.
Mrs Victoria Dunford, the Director of MAD-Aid has been awarded a BEM for services to children with special needs in northern Moldova.
