New Year's Honours: see who made the list in Dorset (From Bournemouth Echo)

Sailor Ben Ainslie knighted in New Year's Honours list

12:00am Saturday 29th December 2012 in News By Paula Roberts

DORSET’S Olympic gold medallists are among the many sporting heroes who have topped the 2013 New Years Honours list.

Lymington sailor Ben Ainslie was knighted to commemorate his remarkable success at the 2012 Olympics in Weymouth.

The 35-year-old’s Finn class gold medal made him the most decorated sailor in Olympic history with four golds.

He also won a silver in his first Games, aged 19,in Atlanta in 1996.

Sir Ben’s dream summer was capped when he was chosen to lead out Team GB at the closing ceremony in London.

Sherborne’s shooting star Peter Wilson was awarded an MBE for his services to shooting in the same year he won gold in the double trap men’s shooting at the 2012 Olympic games.

Peter said he was overwhelmed by the news.

The 26-year-old said: “I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured.

“It was a massive shock when it came through the post – I didn’t expect it at all. I’m just in shock.

“It’s been an amazing year and this honour caps it off.”

He added: “I’ve been incredibly lucky.

“I’d hoped to do two things this year, set the world record and to get Olympic gold.

“This has really capped it off.”

Simon Williams, head of 2012 Operations for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, also received an MBE for services to London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Annette Brooke received an OBE for public and political service.

Mrs Brooke has been an MP for 11 years and is the only female MP in Dorset.

She began her political career in 1986 when she was elected on to Poole Borough Council and remained a borough councillor until 2003.

She said: “I am very, very honoured and flattered.

“My aim was to be a good constituency MP and I have tried my best to do that.”

Mrs Brooke, also won a Best Female MP award in 2010.

There was also recognitionfor a host of other Dorset people. Lesley Walter, headteacher at Philip Green Memorial School in Wimborne, receives an OBE for services to special educational needs.

A DBE goes to Professor Sarah Ann Cowley, from Bourne-mouth, for services to health visiting.

Paul Rossiter Newsome JP, from Bournemouth, receives the MBE for voluntary service to SSAFA Forces Help in Dorset. He has been the volunteer branch secretary of the Dorset Branch since 1991. Under his leadership in 2010 the branch helped 375 clients, with £233,000 raised for their direct financial support.

MBEs also go to Philip White, chief executive of Hestercombe Gardens Trust, for services to historic garden restoration, and Anthony Coombes, of Gilling-ham, for community services.

Wimborne illustrator John Batchelor also received an MBE for services to Illustration.

Boscombe entrepreneur Kresse Wesling has received an MBE for services to corporate social responsibility.

She and partner James Henrit transformed their two-bedroom flat using reclaimed goods from charity shops, tips and websites.

The couple call their technique ‘upcycling’ and turned their passion into a living after setting up a company – Elvis and Kresse – which sells upcycled goods and accessories.

Foster carers Philip and Wendy Hopkins from Sherborne have also received an MBE for their services to children and families.

British Empire Medals (BEM) went to David Deacon from Shaftesbury for charitable and community services in Warminster, Wiltshire, and Diana McDowell, also from Shaftesbury, for services to heritage in Shaftesbury through the Gold Hill Museum.