Top cop, Olympic medallists and GP get New Year's honours (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Top cop, Olympic medallists and GP get New Year's honours

1:56pm Friday 2nd January 2009 in

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Two Olympic gold medallists, a GP, a policeman and an engineer at Hampton Court Palace were among those to pick up gongs in the Queen’s New Year's Honours list.

In total 13 people from the borough of Richmond and five from Hounslow were named on the honours list released on Wednesday, December 31.

Dennis Burge, a heating engineer at Hampton Court Palace was listed as a recipient of the Royal Victorian Medal - a reward for personal service to the Queen or the Royal family - for his work at the palace.

Tina Bruce, a Richmond-based professor of early childhood studies at Roehampton University, Thomas Clark, a Richmond banker, and Priscilla Snowball, chief executive of advertising agency Abbott Mead Vickers Group, were appointed CBEs.

Sailor Sarah Webb, who won her second Olympic gold medal in the yngling boat at the Beijing games in August, was made an OBE along with Twickenham’s Val Lowman - managing director of BeOnsite, a not-for-profit organisation, established by Bovis Lend Lease to provide employer-led training to address skills shortages in the construction industry - and East Twickenham’s Gail Sackloff, retired merchandise director of fashion and luxury goods retailer Saks Fifth Avenue.

Hampton GP Parvin Bhatia was one of six borough MBEs along with Patricia Astley-Cooper, curator of Wandsworth Museum who lives in Richmond, and Barnes-based independent music publisher Andrew Heath.

Also appointed MBEs were John Holmes, from Barnes, for services to people with mental health problems, Barnes trade adviser Neil Wynn-Jones and Maureen Payan, the founder of Twickenham charity HANDS - Help A Neighbour In Distress Scheme.

Among those honoured with MBEs in Hounslow were rower Lieutenant Peter Reed.

The award marks the end of a triumphant six months for the Chiswick resident who won gold in the coxless four in Beijing and will be hoping to compete in the 2012 Olympic games in London.

He said: "It’s really nice. I’m really proud. I’ve got a flood of texts from friends saying congratulations.”

Nigel Platts-Martin, who owns the restaurant La Trompette in Chiswick received an MBE for services to the hospitality industry, while Maria Zofina Kempinska from Hounslow, saw her name on the list for bringing a smile to people’s faces as founder and creative director of the renowned comedy club chain, Jongleurs.

Garth Buckle, Business Links team co-ordinator for Hounslow Education Business Partnership and assistant headteacher at Villiers School in Ealing, David Onllwyn Jones, were also honoured.

Hounslow PC Stewart Forrester also featured in the New Year Honours list following 30 years “exemplary service” on the beat.

He was awarded the Queen’s Police medal for his “unparalleled” dedication to making the capital a safer city.

A CBE has been awarded to broadcaster, exhibition curator and journalist Lady Marina Alandra Vaizey from Chiswick for services to the arts.

• See next week's paper for interviews and pictures of the award winners