King honours head, councillor, ex-fire chief and scout leader
Ten inspirational people from across Northamptonshire, including a former Northampton headmistress and a scout leader from Kettering have been given awards in the New Year Honours for their service to their local community. It is the first round of honours to be bestowed by King Charles III. The New Year Honours are announced every year and name those who have made an important contribution to their local area or a particular field.
Those named in 2023’s Honours include Queen guitarist Brian May and artist Grayson Perry, who have been made knights, and England’s Lioness captain Leah Williamson, who has been made an OBE. Those in Northamptonshire who have been commended for their services include Councillor Tony Aslam, who has been given the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Wellingborough during Covid-19. Former chief of Northants Fire and Rescue Service, Darren Dovey, has meanwhile been awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal after retiring earlier this year.
READ MORE: Northants passengers warned of five days of train disruption as strikes resume Over a thousand people were named in the Honours list today, December 30, from the worlds of politics, arts, charity, and science. Anyone can nominate someone for an award, which is then reviewed by the government and then passed off by King Charles III.
It is the first set of honours under the new king’s reign. A total of ten people from across Northants and a range of areas and expertise were named alongside national treasures like Chris Kamara (MBE) and Countdown’s Rachel Riley (MBE). Top of the list is Lesley Watts from Hargrave, who has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the NHS.
Beginning her career as a midwife and nurse, Ms Watts became the Chief Executive Officer of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in 2015. Under her leadership, the London hospital was awarded a CQC rating of Outstanding in 2020.
Lesley Watts has been given a CBE for services to the NHS after seven years as a hospital CEO
Northampton‘s Dr Brian Dickie has been awarded an MBE for his services to Motor Neurone Disease Research. Graduating in 1991, Dr Dickie spent years at Oxford University researching the mechanisms of cell death in Parkinson’s disease.
Since 1997, Dr Dickie has worked for the Motor Neurone Disease Association as Director of Research Development. He provides strategic guidance and works to increase the quantity and quality of its research into curing the disease. Dr Marie Howley, since recently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Northampton has also been awarded a CBE for services to Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Dr Howley gained extensive experience as a specialist teacher working with children and adults with autistic spectrum disorders. She has written a number of influential books on teaching SEN people, including ‘Accessing the Curriculum for Pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorders’ in 2005.
Dr Brian Dickie has been made a CBE for 25 years service at the Motor Neurone Disease Association
Also awarded an MBE for services to Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities is Caroline Grant. Ms Grant was previously Headteacher of Billing Brook Academy Trust.
The trust in Northampton educates pupils aged 4 – 18 with a wide range of learning difficulties. The school has achieved an Advanced status of accreditation from the National Autistic Society and was named ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2019. Darren Dovey, who retired as Chief Fire Officer of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) in October after six years of service, has been awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal.
The medal, introduced in 1954, is awarded to members of the fire services for distinguished service or gallantry. NFRS said it “would like to offer its congratulations to former Chief Fire Officer, Darren Dovey, for being awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal today. As well as being CFO, Darren was also chair of the Northamptonshire Local Resilience Forum during the COVID pandemic and helped to co-ordinate the local response and ensure that NFRS stepped up to support other agencies during this tough period.
“This award is hugely deserved, not just for the leadership and commitment that Darren demonstrated at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service – and his passion and dedication to keeping the county safe – but also because of the 35 years of loyal service he has given throughout his career to the Fire Service as a whole.”
Darren Dovey, the former Chief Fire Officer for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (Image: Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Councillor Tony Aslam heads the list of those awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to Wellingborough during Covid-19. Arriving in the UK from Pakistan in the 1960s, Cllr Aslam has been a Labour councillor for Wellingborough Town Council since 2015. In that time, Cllr Aslam addressed many issues including fly-tipping, facilities for young people, and facilities for the disabled and elderly.
He was also on the team that delivered the Big Lunch for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Victoria Geary of Kettering has been awarded the BEM for services to young people in the town. Mrs Geary is the Beaver Scout Leader for the 5th Kettering Scout Group.
She said: “I was completely shocked to be honest, when I got the notification. I’m honoured and humbled and somewhat embarrassed. There’s lots of others who volunteer who I feel deserve this award more.
“I believe in the Scout Promise “do your best”. That’s what we encourage in our young people and even if things don’t work the first time you can always try again.”
Cllr Tony Aslam has been given a British Empire Medal for his services to Wellingborough (Image: Wellingborough Town Council)
Jacqueline Beaumont, of Aynho, was awarded the BEM for services to People with Cancer. Ms Beaumont founded the Oxfordshire Oesophageal and Stomach Organisation, which offers information, advice and support to those suffering with the disease and their friends and family.
Carol Keach has been awarded the BEM for services to her community in Barton Seagrave and Kettering. As has Susan Baker, for services to her community in Charlton, near Brackley. Get the latest and breaking news from Northamptonshire by signing up for our newsletter here.
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