Just what the doctor ordered - in New Year's Honours!

THE chairman of the League of Friends at Yeovil District Hospital has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

Anne Bennett, of Martock, has been chairman of the fundraising group since 2002 and has helped to raise thousands of pounds for the hospital (pictured above).

Despite being chairman of the group, she has always been quick to praise her army of volunteers for their wonderful support.

“We are very fortunate to have such a conscientious group of volunteers who work really hard to provide a good service for the hospital,” she said back in 2012.

“We also feel very responsible that donations and legacies we receive are spent in the most beneficial way.

“To be a volunteer has a great feel-good factor to it, but we still need more volunteers.”

PHOTO - RIGHT: The British Empire Medal.

Also awarded the BEM in the New Year’s Honours is Margaret Peverley, of Yeovil, chairman of the Mid-Somerset Riding Club, in recognition of her voluntary services to equestrianism.

Lucy Warfield, of Ilminster, has been awarded the BEM in recognition of her services to the community in Beercrocombe.

A MBE has been awarded to David Gibbings, of Yeovil, for services to aviation heritage and the defence industry at AgustaWestland.

The chief fire officer of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Lee Howell, has been awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal.

And the Queen’s representative in Somerset, Lord Lieutenant Lady Gass, has been given the Royal Victorian Order.

Among the celebrities to receive honours was actress Penelope Keith who has been made a Dame. Among her well-known TV shows was the sitcom To The Manor Born filmed at Cricket St Thomas, near Chard.

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