Essex MP Bernard Jenkin is among a number of people from the county recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

East Anglian Daily Times: Betty Holbrook is delighted to be receiving an MBE Picture: BETTY HOLBROOKBetty Holbrook is delighted to be receiving an MBE Picture: BETTY HOLBROOK (Image: Archant)

The Harwich and North Essex MP, receives a knighthood for political and public service.

Sir Bernard has been an MP for more than 20 years having initially been elected as MP for North Colchester in 1992.

He became MP for the newly created constituency of Harwich and North Essex following a change in constituency boundaries.

Speaking about being knighted, Sir Bernard said he was pleased, if a little surprised, to be receiving a knighthood.

“It feels a bit unreal. I wasn’t expecting it,” he said.

“Obviously I am very pleased. In my eyes it does not change anything. I will do the same job and serve my constituents.

“I have never considered myself part of the establishment. I have always been a bit of a rebel.”

Sir Bernard, who is chairman of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, added: “I feel it is recognition for the work I have done on the select committee which I have chaired for the last eight years.”

Outside of Parliament, Sir Bernard is vice president of the UK charity, Combat Stress, which supports ex-service personnel.

“I am very pleased for the charities I am involved with,” he added.

Sir Bernard was one of many people in north Essex to be recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Sarah Jane Mears, Essex County Council library services manager, is made an MBE for her work with children and young people.

Maureen Hindle, of Chelmsford, a volunteer on the patient experience team at Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust, gets a British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition for her services to patients and to the community.

Also receiving a British Empire Medal is John Lowe, of Chelmsford, who is a trustee and the honorary president of the Museum of Power in Langford, near Maldon. He is also a member of the council of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Mr Lowe receives his BEM in recognition for his services to STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) education.

MBE for 88-year-old involved in many community projects in Harwich

88-year-old Betty Holbrook from Harwich will be receiving an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to heritage and the community in the town.

Mrs Holbrook has long been an important part of her community and remains involved in a vast number of community projects.

She left school aged 14 and became a butcher, following in the footsteps of her father.

From then she went on to work in a slaughter house and held a slaughtering license.

It was her work with a number of local events and festivals that really made her name well known throughout out the town.

Her services to the community were recognised early on when she received a letter of thanks from Clementine Churchill for raising funds.

“I was honoured and a bit overwhelmed,” said Mrs Holbrook speaking about her award, “I have no idea who put me forward. I am pleased.”

“All the Harwich people know me so well.”

Mrs Holbrook is a member of the Harwich and District Fellowship for the Sick and recently became the chief organiser and fundraiser for the annual New Year’s firework display which is attended by over 6,000 people.

As well as this she plays an important role in the running of the Harwich and Dovercourt Annual Guy Carnival and also supports the Harwich Motorcylce Run which attracts around 4- 5,000 motorcycles.

Mrs Holbrook also hosts huge parties in her garden to raise money for any local charities that might need her help.

Her services to the community were recognised early on when she received a letter of thanks from Clementine Churchill for raising funds.

In addition to these events Mrs Holbrook is involved in local building restoration.

Her tireless work has led to the restoration of over 30 houses in Harwich, including her purchase of ‘half a street’ of dilapidated building which have now all been returned to a liveable condition.

Despite all of her other commitments Mrs Holbrook did not shy away from getting involved in construction work herself.

“I worked for 30 years, I worked with the men and did cement mixing,” said Mrs Holbrook.

Here’s a full list of people from Essex who have been included in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list:

KNIGHTS BACHELOR

The Honourable Bernard Christison Jenkin, MP. Member of Parliament for Harwich and North Essex. For political and public service. (Harwich, Essex)

ORDER OF THE BATH

CB

Mrs Hayley Rogers. Parliamentary Counsel, Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. For services to the Preparation of Legislation. (Chelmsford)

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

DBE

The Rt Hon Eleanor Fulton Laing, MP. Member of Parliament for Epping Forest. For political and public service. (Epping)

OBE

Mrs Vanessa Vallely. Managing director, www.wearethecity.com. For services to Women and the Economy. (Rayleigh)

MBE

Gary Hansman. Estimates Advisor HM Treasury. For public and voluntary service. (Essex)

Mrs Betty Edith Holbrook. For services to Heritage and to the community in Harwich, Essex. (Essex)

David Edward Kendrick. Head of Airline Licensing Civil Aviation Authority. For services to Aviation. (Brentwood)

Miss Sarah Jane Mears. Library Services manager Essex County Council. For services to Children and Young People. (London)

John Colin Powell. National Lead End of Life Care, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services. For services to Vulnerable People. (Essex)

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL

Ms Pavandeep Ahluwalia. Henna Artist. For services to the Beauty Industry. (Essex)

Edward Leszek Gradosielski. For services to Beekeeping and to voluntary service. (Nazeing)

Mrs Maureen Hindle. Volunteer, Patient Experience Team, Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust. For services to Patients and to the community in Essex. (Chelmsford)

Mrs Maureen Janis Lee. For services to Young People and to the community in Chelmsford. (Essex)

John Herbert Lowe. Trustee Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Museum of Power. For services to STEM Education. (Chelmsford)

Mrs Elizabeth Marshall. For services to the community in Great and Little Chesterford, Essex. (Essex)

Gordon Robert William Simmonds. For services to the Church Community in Rochford, Essex. (Essex)

QUEEN’S POLICE MEDAL

Mrs Janet Bloomfield. Formerly Sergeant, Essex Police.

Stephen James Kavanagh. Chief Constable Essex Police.