College principal heads West Berkshire New Year Honours list
Newbury College principal, Lambourn racing stalwart and charity worker among those recognised in New Year Honours today (Saturday)
THE Principal of Newbury College, a selfless Red Cross charity worker, a horseracing stalwart, and a learning disabilities consultant are West Berkshire's newly decorated heroes in the 2012 New Year Honours list, announced today (Saturday).
Anne Murdoch (pictured), the principal of Newbury College, has been appointed OBE for services to education, kicking off another bumper year for the region in which people from a varied mix of backgrounds have been recognised for efforts in serving the community.
A well-known face not just amongst the racing fraternity but throughout West Berkshire, the head of the Lambourn Trainers Association and champion racehorse trainer, Peter Walwyn, aged 78, was appointed the MBE for horseracing.
For services to the British Red Cross and to the community in Newbury, Elizabeth Leigh, who won the Black Horse trophy in the Newbury Town Civic Awards in April, has been appointed an MBE.
Newbury resident Debbie Hepplewhite, an independent phonics consultant and adviser to the UK Reading Reform Foundation Committee, was appointed an MBE for services to education.
Elsewhere in the district one of West Berkshire's top policemen, Thames Valley Deputy Chief Constable Francis Habgood, received the Queen's Police Medal for 25 years in the force.
Catherine Burke, from Purley-on-Thames, was appointed an MBE for services to children and families, and the secretary of the Mid and West Berkshire Local Access Forum, Roger Penfold, was appointed an MBE for services to his sport, swimming, and local government.
Customs trainer manager Jan Clayton, from Tilehurst, was also appointed an MBE, with Beryl Hodgson, special constabulary chief officer at Hampshire Constabulary appointed an OBE for services to the police and the community.
For full reaction and from the Queen's honours, pick up a copy of Thursday's Newbury Weekly News.
