Dorset people recognised in New Year Honours list
People from all walks of life from across the county have received honours
Last updated 31st Dec 2024
People from across Dorset have received honours in HM The King’s New Year Honours List 2025, published today by the Cabinet Office.
This year’s recipients have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all sectors, but in particular community champions and selfless giving are recognised.
The List ensures that people from underrepresented communities and a wide variety of types of work are rewarded, to celebrate the fantastic contribution of people throughout the country.
75-year-old Judith Boichot from Weymouth has been given an MBE for services to the community.
Judith has made numerous voluntary contributions within the community of Dorset, over a remarkable period of 40 years.
She was appointed to the bench in 1985 and retired as a Dorset Magistrate in October 2019 after 34 years of service.
She worked tirelessly both to represent Magistracy to the public through the Magistrates in the Community programme, and to improve the experience for working magistrates.
Outside of her roles, she has run a number of Marathons and 10-mile races, raising money for many different charities and has been a Samaritan for 25 years.
58 year old Andrew Rodney Wickham becomes an MBE for services to the Bus Industry.
During COVID, Andrew who is from Sturminster Marshall, had the foresight to know the industry would be at risk of failing its customers in the recovery period after the pandemic and insisted on continued recruitment.
In his time as Managing Director the business has increased colleague numbers by 27% creating an additional 419 jobs.
Customer journeys have increased by an astounding 73% to 69 million per annum. This has been achieved by his relentless focus on the customer and their needs by providing increased frequencies, new and improved services as well as strategic acquisitions.
74-year-old Audrey Hayter from Witchampton gets an BEM for services to the community in Wimborne.
She has been involved in a range of roles and activities in various voluntary organisations for over five decades.
Having organised hugely successful Queens Silver and Golden Jubilee street parties in 1977 and 2012, without her ‘can do’ attitude Witchampton would have been without a celebration for the Queen’s Platinum Big Breakfast, where she organised a traditional style street party for over 200 villagers.
As a Women’s Institute member since 2021 she also organised the knitting of corgi dogs for the occasion.
Janet MacGregor from Poole gets an BEM for Services to Early Years. When several Afghan refugee children arrived in the area, without hesitation, she immediately offered childcare places to parents, going beyond in providing flexibility on the hours attended.
There's a CBE for Professor Christine Harrison from Blandford, a trustee of Blood Cancer UK for her services to children with Acute Leukaemia.
Laurence Pears from the MOD also gets an OBE for his services to defence.
Professor Heather Freeman from the Aspire Regional Adoption Agency has been given an OBE for services to Vulnerable children and families.
Alison Fuller from Bournemouth has been honoured with a DBE for services to Higher Education.
Couple Michael and Vivienne Bateman who run the Beaminster Country Car Scheme have been made Medallists of the Order of the British Empire.
And Portland Olympic sailor Ellie Aldrige has been given an MBE for her services to sailing.