Honours recognise our unsung heroes

Lord Lieutenant Algernon Heber-Percy becomes a member of the Royal Victorian Order, KCVO, which recognises distinguished personal service to the Sovereign and members of the Royal Family.

And that makes this week a double celebration as the new Sir Algernon also celebrates his 70th birthday on Thursday.

Since his appointment as Lord Lieutenant in 1996, Sir Algernon has done a sterling job in highlighting the voluntary and business sectors and put in many hours of behind-the-scenes work helping to raise the profile of the county.

Indeed, as well as serving the Crown, he believes his role very much includes supporting and promoting Shropshire

Accompanied by his wife, Jane, Sir Algernon also leads congregations and gatherings at many civic and military events and services.

A delighted Sir Algernon said today: "I was never expecting this, never expected anything. And I feel deeply honoured and so pleased, not only for myself but also for Jane who has been such a support through all of these years. She really is amazing and this is something we are able to share.

"But the greatest privilege was 18 years ago being asked to be Lord Lieutenant of this wonderful county and being given the opportunity to travel to so many parts of it, meet so many amazing people and learn about so many different things. I feel so fortunate to have this particular role. And this honour is such a very, very special early birthday present."

Sir Algernon heads a list of Shropshire people to receive awards, including six MBEs. But when the letter outlining the award dropped on to the mat of her south Shropshire home, Lady

Veronica Cossons seriously considered whether to accept the MBE for services to wildlife conservation. She said: "I am really keen that people are recognised but there are so many other volunteers involved in all that I do and I must admit I did think at first, 'why me.'"

However, Lady Cossons is now thrilled at the honour and feels privileged that she was nominated at all. She said: "I am especially pleased that the MBE is for services to Wildlife Conservation because although I am president of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust, I'm also involved in the Countryside Trust, Telford Green Network and other interests so it's nice to be able to profile all of them."

In 2007, Lady Cossons was also appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Shropshire.

Winning an MBE for his services to the rehabilitation of offenders is John Home, the owner and director of Willowdene Farm rehabilitation and training centre in Chorley near Bridgnorth.

Mr Home, 64, founded the centre with his wife Jenny in 1986, creating a residential rehabilitation centre for men who had suffered with drug addiction. He said: "I am very excited about it, it's a real surprise to be honest.

"It's a strange thing because I've been doing something I really enjoyed for 35 years. It is something that I really wanted to do. It was difficult in the beginning but once we got the place started it was wonderful to see these men's lives change."

Pat McLaughlin, of Ellesmere, has received an MBE for services to tourism and to the community in Shropshire.

The 83-year-old said: "I was absolutely stunned when I found out. I feel very humbled by it. It's been given to me for something I have enjoyed doing."

Jackie Brookes has been honoured with an MBE for helping women across the world. Miss Brookes, of Moreton, near Newport, said she was "flabbergasted" to pick up the award. The 73-year-old has been a member of Soroptimist International's Bilston division for the last 47 years.

She said: "I never thought this would happen to me because I'm just an ordinary person, but people obviously think otherwise. To receive an MBE is so humbling. I'm just so flabbergasted."

Peter Corfield has been nominated to receive the MBE for services to the community in Ludlow, particularly through his work as chairman of the town's hospital league of friends group. The 73-year-old, a former RAF technician, also served on Richards Castle parish council as chairman after retiring to live in Ludlow back in 1997.

Mr Corfield said: "The award, I feel, has very much been earned on behalf of the people of south west Shropshire who are so sorely in need of improved healthcare to be provided locally."

In Mid Wales, Ivor Geoffrey Hawkins, 72, from Pontrobert, near Welshpool, was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his voluntary services to the community of Pontrobert and Dolanog. He said: "I am absolutely honoured and thrilled to be given this award, but it is really an award for the wider community because without them I couldn't do any of it."

BEMs go to Evan Maldwyn Evans, for voluntary services to the community in Adfa, near Newtown and Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion, and Janet Brandon, of Ratlinghope, for services to the community.

The National Assembly of Wales's presiding officer, Rosemary Butler has been made a Dame. Mrs Butler, who is AM for Newport in South Wales, was awarded the honour for her political and public services to women and democracy. She said: "I'm thrilled, but also stunned and humbled. This isn't just my work and I want to thank all the people I have worked alongside over many years."

Also honoured this time were Stafford Hospital campaigner Julie Bailey, whose efforts to highlight poor care prompted the Francis Review and wholesale changes to the way the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust was run. She receives a CBE.

Helene Donnelly, a nurse practitioner from Gnosall near Newport, receives an OBE for services to the NHS. She blew the whistle on care at Stafford Hospital. The chief executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service, Anthony Marsh, receives the Queen's Ambulance Service Medal.

Sue Bott has been awarded the CBE. She managed Shropshire Disability Consortium on Lancaster Road, Shrewsbury.