PEOPLE who have dedicated their time to helping Oxfordshire communities have been honoured by the county’s Lord Lieutenant.
British Empire Medals were presented to six people by The Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Tim Stevenson.
It is the first time the honours have been awarded since 1992.
They were reintroduced for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Penelope Hannigan, a teaching assistant at Crowmarsh Gifford Primary School, was given the award for services to education.
She has trained about 400 children in more than 20 years as a voluntary cycle training instructor and has been a volunteer with the Scouts since 1972.
Mrs Hannigan said: “It was a really nice evening and I do treasure the medal. I think every child is worth every ounce of effort I give them and it is nice to think people think that I deserve this.”
Raymond Hewett, band-master of the Roke and Benson Brass Band for the past 32 years and a member for 40 years, was thanked for his work and dedicating concerts to local charities.
Mr Hewett, 81, a retired engineer said: “It is the sort of thing you don’t expect to happen in your life. It is magical in a way. Apart from anything else it is good for the band.
“I took it into the band room the day after I received it. The children were fascinated.”
George Hedges, of children’s respite nursing charity Rosy, got the medal for his work to promote and fund the Oxfordshire charity’s service.
Dr Peter Pritchard received the award for services to the community in Dorchester-on-Thames, securing the future of the Hurst Water Meadow.
Gillian Barnard, a member of the Salford Players drama group since 1988, received the medal for services to the community.
Carole Dennis, a parish councillor for more than 37 years was presented with the award for services to the communities in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell and Wallingford.
The Lord Lieutenant also appointed his new Lord Lieutenant Cadets and presented awards to members of the Reserves Forces and Cadets in Oxfordshire and supportive employers of the Reservists.
The four new cadets are Coxswain Harry Griffiths, 18, from Henley Sea Cadets, Colour Sergeant Conor McLennan, 17, from Banbury Army Cadets, Sergeant James Dawson, 17, from Carterton, representing the Air Cadets and Corporal William Sharp, 16, from Abingdon Combined Cadet Force.

  • Lord Lieutenant Certificates were awarded to: Lieutenant Helen Palmer from Oxford University Naval unit, Staff Sergeant David Hann from Oxford University Officers Training Corps, Squadron Leader Michael Wright from Radley College Combined Cadet Force, Corporal Charles Coates and Instructor Alastair Mellor, from 612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, Sergeant Alan Fowley, Sergeant Mike Luis, Corporal Chris Bache, and SAC John Buckle from 4624 Movements Squadron at RAF Brize Norton, Squadron Leader Christopher Breward and Mr Roger French, from HQ Thames Valley Wing Air Training Corps.

The Best Reservist of the year award was presented to Senior Aircraftsman Jeremy Watkins from 4624 Movements Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton.
Ministry of Defence Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers (SaBRE) awards were also presented to local Oxfordshire Businesses Aurora Fashions Witney, British Bakels Ltd at Bicester and Wallingford Town Council.