Devon community heroes on New Year Honours list

Rob Illman has partcipated in more than 1,200 call-outs

A long-serving search and rescue volunteer is among those included on the New Year Honours list in Devon.

Rob Illman, of the Ashburton branch of Dartmoor Search and Rescue, received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his service with the group over the past 41 years.

He said receiving the medal was a "proud" moment for him and his family.

Meanwhile, foster carers Pamela and Peter Frickleton will both receive MBEs for services to young people.

The couple, from Plymouth, has supported more than 67 children since being approved as foster carers in 1995.

The Plymouth Fostering Panel was "highly impressed" with their management of adoptions and the memory boxes they produce for children when they move on from their care.

Foster carers Pamela and Peter Frickleton, of Plymouth, were appointed MBEs

Search and rescuer Mr Illman has participated in more than 1,200 call-outs, either receiving the call as the search manager or as a team member.

"It's a massive award, I do thank all my team members and everyone who nominated me. I'm so proud to receive it," he said.

"I enjoy the camaraderie of the team immensely. We have a great time, but when it hits the fan you know you have each others' back."

Other honours recipients from Devon include:

• Tim Martin, the founder and chair of Wetherspoons, receives a knighthood for his services to hospitality and culture (Exeter)

• Catherine Jane Uttley Dovey. the co-founder of the Beacon Collaborative and director of the Rosa Fund, is appointed CBE for services to philanthropy, to women and girls, to the arts and to the Tiverton economy (Tiverton)

• Prof Penelope Clare Endersby, chief executive of the Met Office, appointed CBE for services to meteorology, defence science and technology (Newton Abbot)

• John Mark Yallop, from the Financial Markets Standards Board, appointed CBE for services to the financial sector and and to charity (Totnes)

• Sarah Jane Cressall, founder and chief executive of the Creation Station, appointed OBE for services to creativity in education, entertainment and business. (Exmouth)

• Amy Louise Doncaster, deputy director of strategy and future design at the Department for Work and Pensions, appointed OBE for public service (Buckfastleigh)

• Col (Rtd) Brian Mark Gorski appointed OBE for services to museums (South Molton)

• Prof Peter Alister Stott, deputy head of climate science and science fellow at the Met Office, appointed MBE for services to climate science (Exeter)

• Hayley Watson awarded a BEM for services to the community, particularly during Covid-19 (Exmouth)

• Terence Gerry, who has led the Plymouth Area Police Choir since 1986, awarded a BEM for services to the community (Plymouth)

• Jacqueline Ann Hendra awarded a BEM for services to people with disabilities (Plympton)

• Shelley Jane Coleman, founder of the Plymouth Ladies Charity, awarded a BEM for services to the community (Plymouth)

• Ann Doreen May Doody awarded a BEM for services to the community (Ilfracombe)

• Ian John Barnaby awarded a BEM for voluntary services to the RNLI for his work as crew and navigator at Torbay Lifeboat Station (Brixham)

• Ian Robert Skinner awarded a BEM for services to the community (Sidmouth)

• Gwendoline May Kingdon awarded a BEM for services to the community (South Molton)

• Cheryl Barbara Smith awarded a BEM for services to young people (Plymouth)

• John Gabriel Monaghan, founder of Fire Aid Nepal, awarded a BEM for services to emergency and disaster response and to communities in Nepal (Devon)