Shropshire charity stalwarts in New Year's Honours

SHROPSHIRE CHARITY stalwarts were today rubbing shoulders with stars of showbusiness, business leaders and politicians in the New Year's Honours.

South Shropshire Furniture Scheme chief executive Jean Jarvis receives the MBE, while Roger Wilson, who lives near Church Stretton, has been made a CBE for his work with Sarcoma UK.

It is the charity set up to provide information on an extremely rare form of cancer.

Also honoured is Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable Ian Arundale, who receives the Queen's Police Medal, and Farmers' Union of Wales president William Gareth Vaughan, who was made an MBE.

Mr Arundale said: "It is such a wonderful honour and privilege as well as a tribute to the hard work of those I have had the pleasure of working with over the years."

Mr Vaughan, who specialises in livestock and owns a farm just outside Newtown, has been president of the union for eight years.

He said: "I think this award is a credit to the hard work of the union and I am delighted the union's efforts have been recognised in this way."

They join the likes of former Eurythmics frontwoman Annie Lennox, who is made an OBE for her work fighting Aids and poverty in Africa, and Poirot actor David Suchet who receives a CBE for services to drama.

Other famous names on the list include Ryder Cup-winning golfer Graeme McDowell, World Cup final referee Howard Webb and veteran actress Sheila Hancock.

Miss Jarvis, who has spent three years as an ambassador for social enterprise, said she was "surprised and delighted" with her MBE.

She said: "This isn't just about me, it's about the furniture scheme and everybody that works there, the staff, the volunteers and the board who have helped make it a successful social enterprise."

Mr Wilson was diagnosed in 1999 with a cancer of connective tissue. After a long remission, he needed more surgery in 2007 when his lower left leg had to be amputated. He was recently diagnosed with another tumour and is due to have surgery.

Mr Wilson and his wife Sheelagh founded Sarcoma UK in 2003.

Some of the honours for senior figures from the business world could prove controversial.

There are knighthoods for Martin Broughton, chairman of British Airways, Roger Carr, chairman of energy giant Centrica, and Richard Lambert, the outgoing director-general of the CBI.

Sir Roger, 64, has presided over a huge increase in profits at Centrica-owned British Gas and the sale of Cadbury to Kraft.

Sir Martin, 63, had a busy 12 months dealing with strikes by BA cabin crew and massive disruption to flights caused by snow and the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud, as well as overseeing the sale of Liverpool Football Club.

By Simon Hardy