King decorates Northamptonshire residents in New Year Honours
CBE, OBE and MBE... some notable Northamptonshire names feature on the list
Several Northamptonshire residents are this year being recognised by the King for their service.
The King's New Year Honours List, compiled and announced as we move into the new year, aims to decorate those who have contributed significantly to industries, services, or the voluntary sector.
Put simply, those who made achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping the UK could feature on the list.
So without further ado, here is a breakdown of who was handed an award this year in the county.
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Martin Paul Leslie Pratt, Executive Director of Supporting People, Camden Council, and Chair of Trustees at Young Camden Foundation, London. He is being recognised for his services to Children, to Young People and to Families in London (Northampton).
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Sandra Dickens (Sandra Currie), Chief Executive at Kidney Research UK. She is being decorated for her services to Sufferers of Kidney Disease (Northampton).
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Duncan Charles Farrington, Farmer and Founder of Farrington Oils. He is awarded an MBE for services to Agriculture and to the Food and Drink Industry (Wellingborough).
John Smith, founder of Cransley Hospice. His services to palliative care in North Northamptonshire, and his voluntary work, are being recognised with an MBE (Kettering).
Mr Smith founded the Hospice in 1998 and committed himself to securing £1.5m of funding for a new hospice.
Without his drive and determination the nine-bed unit would not exist. His constant commitment has helped raise significant funds to support and develop specialist hospice care for the local community.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, he said: "If people gave us donations, for safekeeping I used to take it home and put it in my sock drawer.
"That's where it started."