Local people humbled to be recognised in the King's New Year Honours List

A number of local people have been recognised in the New Year Honours List 2023, which marks the public service of individuals across the UK.

This year's recipients include Reading West MP Alok Sharma and the Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire, as well as those who work within the MOD, local villages, education and charities.

Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire James Henry Lavallin Puxley, from Welford, was appointed The Royal Victorian Order (CVO).

He said: “It is a personal gift of the monarch so therefore I am extremely grateful, honoured and appreciative of receiving it.

“We represent the monarch in the county of Berkshire. I met our late majesty lots of times and I met the King several times.

“And we represent them whenever we are asked to do that.”

Mr Puxley was High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire from 2000 to 2001. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in 2005 and became Vice Lord Lieutenant in 2010.

Reading West MP Alok Sharma and president of COP26 (the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties) was appointed Knight Commander (KCMG) for services to tackling climate change.

Mr Sharma was appointed full time president of COP26 in January 2021 and was previously Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and president for COP26.

The Conservative MP said he was “humbled” to receive a Knighthood.

He said: Alok Sharma said: “I am truly humbled to receive this honour.

"Delivering the COP26 conference and getting almost 200 countries to agree the Glasgow Climate Pact were collectively a great UK team effort, supported by many of our dedicated civil servants and diplomats around the world.

"However, if we are to keep alive the prospect of limiting average global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, which will help to avert the worst impacts of climate change, all countries need to redouble efforts to meet their climate commitments.”

Former chief executive officer of the Maiden Erlegh Trust Mary Elizabeth Davies was appointed an MBE for services to education.

She said: “I am hugely proud and humbled to have been awarded an MBE.

“As CEO of Maiden Erlegh Trust I worked alongside amazing people.

“It is a privilege to work in schools. Most people will never see how much school and trust staff do for children and young people. They are heroes every day.”

She has also been a teacher of modern foreign languages, a senior leader, headteacher, executive headteacher, NLE and Ofsted inspector.

Chair of Maiden Erlegh Trust Nick Jones said: “The Trust is indebted to Mary for her many years of outstanding service to the children and young people of our communities and we are delighted that she has been honoured in this way.

“It is truly fitting that her dedication to the Trust and the wider world of education is recognised by this award and, on behalf of the Trust, I add our heartfelt congratulations to the many she will have deservedly received.”

Maiden Erlegh Trust CEO Jonathon Peck added: “We are all delighted that our previous CEO, Mary Davies, has been honoured with an MBE for services to education.

“Mary has dedicated her life to children and young people and this award recognises the outstanding impact she has made both on Maiden Erlegh Trust and our family of schools, but also in the education sector more widely."

Paul David Taylor FREng, from Newbury, was appointed a CBE for his public service with the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Taylor has lately been working as a science and technology adviser.

Hungerford man Jonathan William Welfare, chairman of Gingerbread and founder of Turn2Us, was appointed an OBE for his services to charity and to disadvantaged people.

Bucklebury woman Erica Joan Tipton was appointed a BEM for services to charity and to the community in Newbury.

Polly Cox, from Great Bedwyn, was also appointed a BEM for services to Shalborne.

Kim James from Wantage was appointed an MBE, as was Zoe Bowden, also from Wantage.