DEDICATED community stalwarts from across Suffolk and Essex have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s birthday honours list.

In Suffolk crime chiefs and a sports coach are among those to be awarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

And across the border in Essex a long-serving politician and a champion of disabled people are on the list.

Hitcham-based David Turner, Mark Rodman from Newmarket, Laura Gillespie in Orford and Christine Bird from north Suffolk received awards for commitment to their parishes while Priscilla Colchester, from Mendlesham, was honoured for her work with the Farm Crisis Network.

Meanwhile Simon Ash, chief constable of Suffolk Constabulary, and James Jarvie, head of criminal and financial investigation at the UK Border Agency (UKBA), were also recognised.

They joined the likes of Take That star Gary Barlow - who masterminded the Diamond Jubilee celebrations - and actors Kate Winslet and Kenneth Branagh to receive an award.

Hitcham stalwart Mr Turner, 74, who received a British Empire Medal (BEM), has clocked up four decades of service, including involvement with the parish church, council and village magazine.

Mr Turner, who helped raise �250,000 for repairs to All Saints’ Church, said: “I have been church warden and treasurer in the past, I’ve cut the grass and cleared the gutters - just whatever needed to be done.

“I’m totally amazed, I do not know where it came from, other people in Hitcham deserve it more than me. You do not do things on your own, without other people, nothing gets done.”

Mr Rodman, 49, a church organist in Newmarket who until last year was involved with Houldsworth Valley Community Primary School, said: “It’s been a joy and a privilege to have done these things at the school, especially for the children - and the children are always happy and pleased to see you whether in school or out of school - and to be apart of the school and to try and do something for the good of their education.”

Ms Gillespie, 46, was also awarded an empire medal for her work as secretary of the Friends Garage in Orford, said: “I was very surprised when I found out but I’m obviously very pleased. I’d like to thank those that have put me forward. I’m absolutely thrilled.”

Mrs Maden, of Levington Road, Nacton, was recognised for her services to netball and to young people in Suffolk. She has been the head coach at Civil Service Netball Club, based at Ipswich Academy, since 1999 having joined as a player in 1975.

She said: “I was so shocked when I first received the letter. I knew nothing about it but my husband had been keeping it a secret from me.

“My club had been trying to make it happen for quite a while and when I read the letter from the cabinet office I thought it was a joke. It took 48 hours to sink in.”

Mrs Colchester, 80, who has worked with the Suffolk and Essex Farm Crisis Network for more than a decade, said: “I’m delighted and quite amazed to be given something that had never even occurred to me.

“I’m very happy to be doing the work I do because it’s helping the farmers.”

Meanwhile Suffolk-based Mr Jarvie, of the UKBA, said: “I am deeply proud to receive this honour from Her Majesty. It has been my privilege to work with professional and dedicated law enforcement colleagues who protect our borders, and bring to justice those who attempt to smuggle drugs, firearms and people into the UK.”

Mr Ash, who was awarded a Queen’s Police Medal, said: “It is a real honour to receive this award and it has been a privilege to lead Suffolk Constabulary for the last five years.”

Colchester-based Colin Nicholson, a long-serving church organist; Michael Adams, a key figure in the county’s disability sector; Joseph Pike, a committed councillor; and Robert Pumfrey, a steam engine enthusiast, all spoke of their delight at joining more than 20 others from Essex to be honoured.

Mr Pike, who represents Halstead on Essex County Council and is the former landlord of town pub The Essex Arms, said: “It is a privilege that people still feel I can represent them so it is a highlight whenever you are asked to do things.”

The 82-year-old, of Bois Field Terrace, Halstead, speaking about receiving the honour, said: “I was quite amazed and I had no idea that anything like this was going to happen.

“They usually wait until you’re dead before they do it, so it was quite a shock and it’s been a hard job not telling anyone.”

Michael Adams, of Chelmsford, who is the chief executive of the Essex Coalition of Disabled People, was awarded an OBE.

Mr Adams, 41, said: “I’m a disabled person myself who has worked in the disability field for about 20 years in a number of disability-related roles and I hope that this award is some kind of recognition for the contribution I have made to the lives of disabled people.

“I think because I have a disability myself, I have always known what the challenges are and that it’s about the potential in every individual.

“A lot of people focus on the things disabled people can’t do and don’t see beyond the disability and the potential they have got.”