The achievements and services of Jackie Bell, Lochmaben; Ann Hill, Mouswald; Patricia Holt, Annan; Myra Smith, Dumfries; Graham Watson, Thornhill; Isabella Farish, Kippford; Eric Robson of Newcastleton; George MacKenzie, Port William; and Jessie Thompson, Wigtown, have been included in the prestigious list.
Jackie Bell
OWNER and manager of Jaybees Childcare Ltd, Jackie Bell has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to education and to charity.
Jackie said: “I am incredibly humbled to receive such an honour.
“In such a difficult year it truly has been the most welcome news, I am absolutely overwhelmed and delighted.
“Sometimes it is difficult to see the path through the woods but you can always see the first step and it is important to take it.
“I am truly passionate about providing the best for our future generation and my involvement in the charity work I do and would like to thank everyone who has helped me achieve my goals and continues on this journey with me.”
Ann Hill
DURING the pandemic, Ann Hill of Mouswald has been reaching out to the vulnerable and elderly in the region.
And her voluntary and charity services to the community in Dumfriesshire have been acknowledged with a British Empire Medal (BEM).
Ann Holt
A POET from the Borders is not to be forgotten, thanks to an Annan woman.
Ann Holt, along with a small trust, has spent more than three decades keeping the memory of Will H Ogilvie alive.
Her ‘behind the scenes work’ has earned her a Medal of the Order of the British Empire, a BEM. Yesterday, she said: “I am only accepting it on behalf of the past and present trustees – it’s not a one man band.”
Myra Smith
THE role of ‘community champion’ has been taken to heart by Morrisons Dumfries worker Myra Smith.
For the last seven years Myra has embodied the title, but during lockdown she took it to a whole new level.
And her efforts have seen her honoured with a Brit- ish Empire Medal (BEM).
Graham Watson
NEARLY two decades ago Graham Watson came to Moniaive and became the proprietor of the village shop.
Since then the former Royal Navy submariner has created a real community hub and lifeline for locals during lockdown.
His services to the community in Moniaive and Glencairn have been recognised with a British Empire Medal (BEM).
Graham, 54, knows that availability and variety of shopping facilities locally is of great importance to rural communities and his premises provides much more than just groceries.
Isabella Farish, Eric Robson, Jessie Thomson, George McKenzie
SERVICES to the community and to tourism have seen two people awarded with the title of Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Isabella Farish has been recognised for her work in the communities of Dalbeattie and Kippford.
An OBE is given to those who have had a major local role in any activity, making them known nationally for their work in their chosen area.
Another recipient of the OBE award is Eric Robson, originally from Newcastleton.
Eric, who now lives in Wasdale, Cumbria, is Honorary President of Cumbria Tourism and has had his efforts to promote the area celebrated.
And in receipt of a BEM is George McKenzie – chairman of Port William Inshore Rescue Service – from Newton Stewart.
His award recognises his ‘services to maritime safety in Scotland’.
Services to the community in Wigtown earned Jessie Thomson a BEM, too.
See our printed titles for full coverage of the region’s New Year Honour recipients.
