Long serving firefighter 'taken aback' at honour

People across the south of England have shared feelings of being "proud", "honoured" and "humbled" at being recognised in The King's Birthday Honours list.

The honours celebrate well-known personalities, government employees and ordinary people who have made significant contributions in their communities.

One of them is Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service's Keith Prince, 67, from Wimborne, Dorset, who has served 48 years as a firefighter.

He described having been "taken aback" at the news of his British Empire Medal (BEM).

Kimberley Purkis, from Romsey, Hampshire, said she was "extremely surprised" to receive the official letter about her BEM.

"I still don't quite believe it, but it's really cool to think that my name has been on the King's desk," she said.

"I very rarely feel proud, but when I opened the letter, I think the emotion I felt was pride."

She set up the Face Everything And Rise (Fear) charity after she was diagnosed with intestinal failure in 2015.

In September she received a BBC Make a Difference award for her work.

"Intestinal failure can be a very lonely world and it impacts you socially, psychologically and physically," Purkis said.

"Suddenly these families can't meet friends for a meal, or spontaneously go on holiday, jump in a pool or participate in after-school clubs.

"So Fear is about bringing people together - showing them that life can still be fulfilling and enabling them to access sport and activities like everyone else can," she added.

Prince's career started in 1977 - making him one of the longest-serving firefighters in the UK.

Besides attending thousands of fire and rescue incidents, his achievements include leadership during the Salisbury Novichok recovery efforts.

But he felt "taken aback" to receive news of his BEM, awarded for services to the community in Cranborne.

"It's the sort of thing that happens to other people, not to yourself," he said.

"To be able to be a firefighter as long as I was an honour enough and I've worked with some brilliant people - in a way, this goes as much for them as for me."

For Georgina Hurcombe, the founder and managing director of LoveLove Films, receiving the letter about her being appointed MBE was "a fantastic moment".

"I felt incredibly honoured and humbled - my first thoughts were of all the people who have supported me throughout my journey," she said.

Hurcombe, from Bournemouth, founded her production and animation company after being made redundant in her 20s as she "simply wanted to continue creating and telling stories".

Her children's TV series Pop Paper City has captivated millions of children around the world across different languages.

"As a dyslexic and neurodivergent child, creativity gave me confidence and helped me see the world differently," Hurcombe said.

"I wanted to create a series that encouraged children not just to watch, but to make, imagine and create for themselves."

She said she hoped the honour "helps shine a light on the importance of British children's television, the creative industries and the need to continue investing in future talent".

Dr Martin Reeves, chief executive of Oxfordshire County Council, has been awarded an OBE in recognition of his outstanding service to local government during his 25-year career.

During his service as

He also served as chief executive of Coventry City Council during a period of transformation for the local authority.

He also worked with Prof Sir Michael Marmot at University College London as Oxfordshire launched the first countywide Marmot Place in 2024, which prioritises health equity.

Reeves said he was "incredibly honoured" to receive the award, adding that local government "is ultimately about people and unique places".

"I've had the privilege of working alongside dedicated and passionate colleagues and councillors who make a real, positive difference in their communities every day."

Wokingham Borough Council's chief executive Susan Parsonage said she felt "deeply honoured but also humbled" on hearing of being appointed MBE for service to local government.

The Berkshire local authority said she had focussed on "improving services for local people and building strong partnerships across the borough" through the Covid pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.

"I've always believed councils have a vital role in working with partners to help all residents to thrive and I hope that we have been able to do that in Wokingham borough," she said.

Along with her husband, David, Elaine Chalmers-Brown established Pilgrims Hearts to provide services to the homeless in Bracknell Forest in 2000.

At the time, the couple were already organising workshops for homeless people across the county.

"Pilgrim Hearts is just a small charity, but because of that we are able to change direction and respond to changing needs quite quickly," she said.

"We work closely with the council and with the Rough Sleepers Teams in Bracknell and Wokingham, and we couldn't do what we do without volunteers, the support of individuals, churches and businesses."

Chalmers-Brown described being appointed MBE as "a real surprise".

"What we do is work together to help the individual. David's support is still very much needed.

"Our purpose is to give people a much-needed hand up, not handouts - supporting people to help themselves, just to get going again."