County people rewarded in Queen's honours

The Queen has rewarded dedicated Shropshire people including a former hospice matron and a tireless community fundraiser in the New Year Honours List published today.

Annette Rushton, former matron at Severn House Hospice in Shrewsbury, was among the county's crop of honours, receiving an MBE for her services to healthcare.

Hers was one of seven OBEs or MBEs handed out in Shropshire and Mid Wales.

Nationally, Status Quo's Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi are awarded OBEs for their hugely successful musical career.

Honours also go to 2009 Formula One world champion Jenson Button while knighthoods are awarded to Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart and Scottish rugby international-turned-Lions coach Ian McGeechan.

Elsewhere in Shropshire OBEs went to Mrs Susan Ann Higham, business design manager at HM Revenue & Customs in Telford, and also to JP Mr Frederick Geoffrey Davies of Crickhowell, Powys, for his services to the administration of justice.

MBEs were awarded to Mrs Mary Elizabeth Bromley, Mrs Sandra Irwin Davies, Mrs Mary Beatrice Guest and Mrs Margaret Mcalister Owen.

Mrs Bromley, an Oswestry fundraiser who has raised more than £58,000 for good causes, was honoured for her charitable services in the town. Mrs Irwin was honoured for services to her home town of Craven Arms while Mrs Guest, from Church Stretton, received her award for services to people with sensory impairment.

Mrs Owen, who received the MBE for services to the Shrewsbury community in which she lives, has worked for various charities around the county and founded the Shropshire branch of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens.