Bristol campaigner appointed OBE in New Year Honours list

Dr Teame Mebrahtu said he was "surprised" by the appointment

A campaigner who helps refugees settle in their new country has been appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

Dr Teame Mebrahtu has been recognised for services to education, refugees and the Bristol community.

He sought asylum in England from Eritrea, and later became one of Bristol's first black magistrates.

Dr Mebrahtu said he accepted the honour "on behalf of other asylum seekers who have been given the opportunity to give back to their community".

The 84-year-old was already a leading educationist in Eritrea before he completed his doctorate and became a lecturer at the University of Bristol Graduate School of Education.  

Dr Mebrahtu said he was "surprised" when he read the letter about being appointed an OBE.

'Humbled'

"What it meant to me was it gave me a feeling that I was someone," he said.

"I like to give, I like to guide, but not to receive, so this humbled me," he added.

Dr Mebrahtu's commitment to the community included helping his wife, who set up a homeless food project.

Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees has also been appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

He has been mayor of the city for eight years and will leave the post in May, when Bristol will adopt a committee system.

Phil Haughton wants to make buying sustainable food easier

Phil Haughton, who founded the Better Food shops and cafes, has also been appointed an MBE for his services to food and sustainability.

He said: "Since I was 14, I've always tried to be organic and ethical so it's in my DNA to be green."

"This truly is an honour. Over the last 32 years, there's been a lot of people who've helped me on this journey," he added.

Mr Haughton also set up the Chew Magna Community Farm, which supports vulnerable people, a venture which he said filled him with "pride".

"For me one of the things behind all of this is justice. Food justice, soil justice, people justice - that's the kind of motivating drive," he added.