King's New Year Honours for people in Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Hampshire and Isle of Wight historians and charity workers join those honoured
The people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who are being awarded as part of the King's New Year Honours has been revealed.
Gail Bedding, Peter Robert Boyd-Smith and Sarah Rosemary Silver are among those being recognised.
Gail Bedding, from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, is a parent of a man with severe disabilities and has been an advocate for disabled families and children to receive necessary support.
She said: "I came back from work and my husband rushed in and said 'you've got something to open' and it was a letter that had something like His Majesty's Service written on it.
"I didn't really think anything of it, and then when I opened it, it was the Cabinet telling me about my award.
"It was very exciting and then the hardest part was keeping it a secret!"
Ms Bedding's worked for a multitude of charities including Challengers, FitzRoy and the Hampshire Carer Network to positively impact care.
She will be honoured with a BEM for her services to charitable fundraising.
Peter Robert Boyd-Smith has worked for over 50 years to become a leading British maritime historian, specialising in the history of the Titanic and its links to Southampton.
He opened a shop in Southampton named 'Cobwebs' in 1975, specialising in ocean liner memorabilia.
He was even approached by Peter Lamont, production designer for James Cameron's 1997 Titanic film, for assistance with historical accuracy.
He said: "I was absolutely stunned!
"I had the letter in November and it came completely out of the blue.
"It's nice to be recognised, it's nice that people appreciate some of the things that we've done over the years.
"I think that's the nicest thing - that other people recognise it to actually take the effort to put in for this award.
"It's such a surprise."
My Boyd-Smith will be honoured with an MBE for his services to British Maritime History and to the community in Southampton.
Sarah Rosemary Silver began as a childminder and local authority adviser before holding leadership roles at 4Children and Action for Children, where she championed inclusive practices.
She now is the Head of Safeguarding and Quality at Tiney and has been described to be 'pivotal' in how they've shaped regulatory processes, managing compliance, and securing strong Ofsted outcomes.
She will be honoured with an MBE for her services to Early Years Education.
She said: "When I first found out, I was completely overwhelmed, I just could not believe it.
"It feels like an absolute privilege.
"I do work really hard because it's really important to make sure children are kept safe and have good outcomes and that's always been part of my life.
"But to be honoured in this way?
"It's just incredible and it's a real validation that I am making a difference."