Firefighter and wood turner recognised in New Years Honours list

Sam Allison has received a King's Fire Service Medal

Names on the New Year Honours list from Wiltshire include a firefighter and a wood turner.

Community heroes, people who have supported the NHS and a woman who championed the creative industries have also been recognised.

Fire station manager Sam Allison said he felt "incredibly privileged" to be awarded a King's Fire Service Medal.

He has been recognised for work in promoting inclusion in Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue.

Mr Allison led the service's efforts to increase the take-up rate of the Covid vaccine from under-represented groups and remote communities, such as those living on Wiltshire's canals.

He also recently became the first black Premier League football referee for 15 years, and took charge of his first match on Boxing Day.

Mr Allison thanked his friends, family and colleagues and said the award was "unexpected and humbling".

Sam Allison recently became the first black Premier League football referee for 15 years

Wood turner John Boyne-Aitken, from Trowbridge, has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to heritage crafts.

Woodturning is a craft which uses a lathe - which rotates the wood - to carve, sand and shape the material, with hand tools being used at the same time to make intricate pieces.

Mr Boyne-Aitken said: "It really is an honour, for someone to think enough of what you've done to actually nominate you and to be approved by the King. I don't think it gets better than that."

Already a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Turners of London, he has made a living from the craft, which started as hobby.

"I found wood turning and I can't wait to go to work in the mornings," he said.

Mr Boyne-Aitken sells his work, but also does demonstrations, lessons, runs a club and has even organised an international exhibition.

Wood turner John Boyne-Aitken has received a BEM for services to heritage crafts

During the pandemic he realised many of his regulars were alone, so started online sessions.

"It's a craft where men, women and young people can all be on an equal standing. You only get better at turning by spending time at the lathe. It's quite a leveller," he said.

Alexandra Vincent, former chief operating officer at the Arts and Humanities Research Council in Swindon - has been appointed as an MBE for her services to research.

Her work in the UK's research councils included a multi-million pound programme to support creative industries, which trained thousands of people.

Alexandra Vincent has been appointed an MBE for her work in research councils

Ms Vincent, who is from Royal Wootton Bassett, said: "I don't feel I would be getting this if it wasn't for having such a wonderful team of people around me.

"It's quite humbling to get this honour within the arts and humanities and it does underline how important research is in the arts."

Other people recognised include Hilary Jenkins, who has received a BEM after running Wilton's vaccination centre.

Penny Brown has also been appointed an MBE for services to the community and charity, including Salisbury District Hospital's Stars Appeal.