Britain's first professional black ballerina Julie Felix appointed MBE

Julie Felix has been appointed MBE after a prestigious career as a dancer, lecturer, coach and author

A dancer who broke barriers to become Britain's first black professional ballerina is among the Cornish people receiving New Year Honours.

Julie Felix, 67, has been appointed MBE after a prestigious career as a dancer, lecturer, coach and author.

Ms Felix, of Looe, became a star in the US after she said she was excluded from a ballet company in London in the 1970s because of racism.

She said of the honour: "It brought tears to my eyes."

As a mixed race dancer - with a black father from St Lucia and a white British mother - Ms Felix had to overcome racism and discrimination.

As a ballet student, she was selected to dance in Rudolf Nureyev's production of Sleeping Beauty in 1975 with the London Festival Ballet. But she was not given a permanent contract, she was told, because of the colour of her skin.

After moving to New York, she found success, travelling the world and performing for the likes of the singer Prince, Pavarotti and Ronald Reagan.

'Believe in yourself'

Reflecting on her career, she said she never let the racism she experienced get in the way of achieving her dreams.

"For about a week or so I was upset and then I thought I'll just keep going with this," she said.

"Don't let anybody put you off. Just put the hard work in and believe in yourself - there is something out there for you as long as you work really hard."

She paid tribute to her late mother, Doreen, for the sacrifices she made to put her through ballet lessons.

"I am indebted to her," Ms Felix said. "She would be more than proud to know I've got this honour."

Meanwhile, Michelin-starred chef Adam Handling, who cooked for world leaders at the G7 summit in Cornwall, has also been appointed MBE.

Adam Handling is a chef and restauranteur

Mr Handling, of St Ives, has been honoured for services to hospitality and international trade.

The 35-year-old sustainable-cooking advocate described the award as a "pinch me moment".

Mr Handling runs the Ugly Butterfly restaurant at Carbis Bay, one of several experiences he has created, including the Michelin-starred Frog, in London.

"I am a very self-motivating person so I set myself goals and I've always had it in my mind that one day I will achieve it," he said.

"I think I'm 10 years ahead of schedule because I think I planned it a lot further down the line. But it is a tap on the back for what you are doing for the industry and what you are doing in life."

Mr Handling and Ms Felix are joined on the list by Jean Davies, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to netball and the community in Cornwall.

Jean Davies has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to netball

The 74-year-old has been involved in netball "all her life", playing for teams in Falmouth and St Austell after moving to the county in 1973.

She said: "When I opened the letter I was absolutely amazed. I couldn't believe it and am absolutely thrilled.

"The most rewarding thing is seeing somebody come in aged seven or eight and then go out the other end, not just a really great netball player, but also as a whole rounded person.

"That's the thing about a team sport, it gives you so much."

Other honours recipients from Cornwall include former naval gunner Godfrey Harrison, awarded a BEM for services to the community in Bude-Stratton.

The 85-year-old has been an active member of his local Royal British Legion branch for more than 30 years.He was responsible for the operation of the annual Poppy Appeal in Bude-Stratton, which in 2019 raised £14,750.

Other honours recipients from Cornwall include:

• Dicky Evans, owner of Cornish Pirates, receives a knighthood for services to business, sport and charity

• Col Edward Thomas Bolitho, Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order

• Syed Jason Andrew Ghaboos, deputy director of civil service employee experience at the Cabinet Office, appointed MBE for public service (Bude)

• Charity Gladstone appointed MBE for services to nursing (Saltash)

• Fiona Roberts JP, magistrate Cornwall Bench South West Region, appointed MBE for services to the magistracy and administration of justice (Camborne)

• Margaret Cortis awarded a BEM for voluntary and charitable services (Truro)

• Christine Mary Gendall awarded a BEM for services to the community (Penzance)

• Stephen Brian Michael awarded a BEM for services to the community (Torpoint)