Dorset residents being honoured in 2023 New Years Honours

The New Year Honours list 2023 marks the incredible public service of individuals from across the UK, and includes numerous recipients from Dorset.

Long-time nurse Mary Buck has served the Swanage and wider community for more than 30 years, opting out of retirement to aid the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Dorset.

Mary, 70, said she was “absolutely blown away” to find out she would be awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the NHS.

A nurse at Swanage hospital for 30 years, Mary has been a voluntary member of St John Ambulance since the age of ten and told the Echo one of her biggest thrills has been training the next generation of health workers.

“The pleasure I’ve had from working with young people and teaching them has been great,” she said.

“Seeing them grow up to become respected doctors, nurses and paramedics has been a huge joy for me.”

In recent years, Mary has become a committee member on the Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership in which she helps residents of the coastal town become better familiarised with defibrillators and their importance.

Mary Buck (Image: Mary Buck)

Mary also was at the forefront of Dorset’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and worked as a vaccinator at the BIC which she described as an “amazing thing to be a part of”.

She added: “When we started vaccinating the elderly, it felt like we were opening the gates again to freedom.”

Away from the health service, she volunteers at a local amateur dramatics society and is a mother of two with three grandchildren.

On her honour, which will be presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Mary said: “I got the letter and was absolutely blown away. It really is very special.

“The fact it will be the first from the King puts a special slant on it. I must say when you get this sort of thing you do look around and think so many other people deserve it. But it is an unexpected honour.”

Also receiving the BEM is Janette Radford, a prison officer at HM Prison The Verne in Portland. She is being recognised for services to prisoners and to AgeUK.

Across the border and New Forest East MP Doctor Julian Lewis is to be knighted for his political and public service having served his constituency, which includes Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst and Beaulieu, since 1997.

Dr Julian Lewis MP (Image: UK Government)

Tory MP Dr Lewis, who is also chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, told the Echo: “Representing New Forest East allows me to serve our community locally whilst focusing on security and defence at a national level. Today’s recognition of that work is as generous as it is encouraging.”

This means both New Forest MPs are now Knight Bachelors, after Sir Desmond Swayne MP was knighted in 2016.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is also celebrating the New Year Honours, with one of their own set to be recognised.

Deputy chief fire officer (DCFO) Derek James will receive the King’s Fire Service Medal in recognition for his leadership and commitment to serving the communities of Dorset and Wiltshire.

Derek was instrumental in the formation of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and Authority in 2016. His vision helped protect frontline services, while achieving savings of more than £8m per year and securing high ratings from government inspectors.

“I am honoured to have been recognised by His Majesty,” Derek said.

Deputy chief fire officer Derek James (Image: Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service)

“Throughout my career I have always done my upmost to help ensure we are a strong fire and rescue service that serves our communities well. I work alongside a bunch of fantastic people who work tirelessly at all levels to help make this happen.

“This award says as much about them as it does me.”

Derek joined the Dorset Fire Service in 2002, becoming a director in 2009 and then assistant chief officer in 2011. After transitioning to strategic operational command, he was promoted to DCFO in 2017.

In his spare time, Derek enjoys skiing, motorcycling, and supporting Arsenal Football Club.

Poole resident Claire Whitaker said she was “delighted” to receive a CBE for services to the arts and culture, having previously received an OBE in 2015.

Known for her work in Southampton, Claire was the bid director for Southampton City of Culture 2025. Prior to this, she was a director of Serious, an award-winning producer of live music working across the UK and internationally.

Currently a member of the government’s Culture Recovery Fund board, she told Bournemouth’s sister paper the Southern Daily Echo: “This was a huge surprise and I am delighted. It’s for my Culture Recovery Fund work, which organisations like Mayflower Theatre have benefitted from.

Claire Whitaker OBE (Image: Southampton City Council)

“It’s amazing to be honoured for it. The opportunity to become involved in the fund came after I started in Southampton. Cllr Satvir Kaur gave me permission to take part and I am very grateful to my board and for Southampton City Council for giving me the opportunity.”

Wimborne resident Russell Corn is to be honoured with an OBE for charitable service. He is being recognised for his work as chair of trustees at The Special Boat Service Association, a registered charity that provides discreet support to serving and retired members of the Special Boat Service and their families.

Lieutenant Commander Anthony Eagles RN, recently a helicopter policy specialist for the Civil Aviation Authority, is to be made an MBE.

Lt Cdr Eagles, of Sherborne in Dorset, is being honoured for services to aviation safety.

Also being made an MBE is Professor Dr Simon Thompson who has worked as an associate professor at Bournemouth University’s Psychology Research Centre.

Poole-based Dr Thompson is being recognised for services to clinical psychology education and to healthcare improvements.

Research conducted by Dr Thompson includes improving the design of prosthetic eyes for children with retinoblastoma, a rare type of eye cancer. He also abseiled down Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth to raise money for charity Children with Cancer UK.

Bournemouth University (Image: UGC)

Fellow Poole resident Jan Thurgood will also be made an MBE due to her contributions and services to people with learning disabilities.

Jan was previously corporate director for adult social care at BCP Council and was the first person to hold the role following the formation of the three town authorities. She currently works with the Local Government Association as south west lead for the care and health improvement programme.

The calmness and professionalism of Lieutenant Henry Mainstone when he was navigator of HMS Forth in the Falklands earns him an MBE.

Assisted by his shipmates, the Dorset-born sailor assumed command of the patrol ship when the commanding officer became medically unfit while Forth was at sea. Lt Mainstone rallied the crew and brought the ship safely into port in challenging conditions, demonstrating “leadership and moral courage in the face of extreme adversity” throughout – as described in his citation.

“I am incredibly honoured to receive an MBE, I did not expect such an outcome,” said the 27-year-old, originally from Dorset but now living with his wife in Scotland.

He says the actions “of every single member of the ship’s company” were crucial during some difficult hours.

“Leading in such challenging circumstances and the following months was difficult, and those few weeks were perhaps the hardest of my career thus far.

“To be recognised with a state award is a huge honour and my family are very proud.”