Somerset New Year Honours: Cheese producer recognised

A carbon neutral British cheddar producer and a leader in women’s sport are among those named on the New Year Honours list.

Richard Clothier, managing director of Wyke Farms, in Somerset, is an innovator in sustainable agriculture and food production, and said he was “surprised, honoured and humbled” to be appointed MBE.

Sarah Massey, who was managing director of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, said receiving her MBE was a “real privilege”, adding that the award recognised “everyone who had a part to play,” in the event.

They join 11 others across Somerset who have been recognised.

Mr Clothier, 59, said his grandparents and parents had always focused on sustainability in the area which supplies “our food and our income and it’s also our home”.

“To be able to improve the biodiversity and the natural capital and make the air cleaner and be better neighbours is a really important thing for us.

“So to be recognised for that is a really nice and humbling thing and a real honour for the team as well,” he added.

The sustainable cheesemaker sells to 160 countries and said the pioneering approach it uses in renewable energy, air quality, waste management and water recovery has brought in visitors from all over the world keen to replicate their efforts.

Ms Massey said on opening her honours letter, she felt a “massive sense of pride… and once it’s announced it will become a bit more real”.

She said it recognised the team behind the Women’s Rugby World Cup which “smashed lots of records and made sure we really made the [event] a global celebration”.

“We knew exactly how we wanted the event to be run and worked with World Rugby, England Rugby and UK Sport and led it with purpose. We wanted to make sure it was advocating for women’s sport. It was a joy to work on,” she added.

“There’s still a lot of progress to make in women’s sport… and we all have to act as role models to encourage teenage girls to keep going with sport.

“So this summer of women’s sport with the Euros, tennis, and the World Cup, and the whole new audience it brought was just really positive,” said Ms Massey.

Ron Homer, 73, said he was “absolutely over the moon” to receive a British Empire Medal for services to blind and partially-sighted people in Somerset.

“I couldn’t believe it. I got my daughter to read it again and again and check the name and address. I was completely overwhelmed really,” he added.

The treasurer of Yeovil Visually Impaired Bowls Club said he works hard to encourage people who are newly registered with visual impairment, to try the sport.

“When I first lost my sight my whole world collapsed. You can’t drive, I had to pack my job in and it’s just a big black hole,” he said.

But a social worker gave him a handful of leaflets, with one for a visually impaired bowls club, and the rest, he said “is history”.

Mr Homer said: “It gets you out, it’s a good social side. We don’t want people sitting at home just watching telly and being on their own.”

The bowls world champion said he thought other people “probably deserve the honour more than I do but I certainly accept it and I’m very proud to receive it,” he added.

Others appointed MBE in Somerset are Fiona Bloor, Technical Lead, UK Hydrographic Office; Martin Hodgson, CEO, YMCA Dulverton Group; Margaret Maltby, County President, Girlguiding Somerset; Alice Potter, Group President, West Hatch Scout Group; and Jonathan Wheatley, for his charity and horticulture work.

Those appointed OBE are Paul Freeston, Chair & CEO, Apetito; Jane Louise Hadfield, Board Member, Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education; and Simon Taylor, volunteer, Liberal Democrats.

Meanwhile, Joanna Shanmugalingam, Second Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, has received the Companion of the Order of the Bath.