Cornwall community heroes honoured by King Charles III

People in Cornwall have been honoured by His Majesty the King in the 2025 New Year Honours list.

They include Brenda Wright, from Wadebridge, who was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) by King Charles III in recognition of her community gardening work in the village of St Issey.

Ms Wright, 83, co-founded St Issey in Bloom in 2010 to improve the appearance of the village, as well as founding a year-round gardening club at the local primary school to teach people gardening skills.

Gerald Morris, from Perranporth, was also made a BEM for more than 60 years of service to his town, through organising events, and by his efforts to preserve Cornish and Celtic heritage.

Ms Wright said it was “absolutely amazing and surreal” to have been given the award.

“I just love doing what I’m doing all around the community, so I was overwhelmed when I found out,” she told the BBC.

She started the gardening club in 2012 while serving as a governor at St Issey Primary School.

Food grown by the club is shared with students’ families and vulnerable community members.

Ms Wright said: “People get to be out in the open air, learning about the environment, while mixing with people of all ages.

“You find out about wildlife and learning how to work together, which is the main thing.”

Gerald Morris served as chairman of the Perranzabuloe Improvements Committee until 2023.

He was responsible for the annual Perranporth Carnival, which raised funds for local amenity improvements.

“I couldn’t believe it, and still haven’t got over it,” he said on receiving the award.

The 75-year-old stepped down from his role on the committee, and others, in 2023, but said he was still encouraged by the ongoing work in the town.

“Everything is still carrying on at the organisations I left,” he said.

“Perranporth is a popular tourist attraction in the summer because people come here for the beach, and now it’s expanding.”

Other honours recipients from Cornwall include:

• James Alexander Fogg, appointed a CBE [Commander of the Order of the British Empire] for services to defence
• Andrew James McNaughton, appointed a CBE for services to national infrastructure
• Prof Frances Wall, appointed an OBE for services to geoscience and sustainable resource development
• Helen Victoria Bingham, appointed an MBE for services to early years education in St Austell
• Rokia Khair, appointed an MBE for services to heritage and to charity in Derbyshire
• Dr Neil Patrick Michael Walden, appointed an MBE for services to healthcare at NHS Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly
• Dr Christopher Michael Cuff, awarded a BEM for services to maritime safety
• Stephen Farbrother, awarded a BEM for services to the community in Gorran Haven
• Donald John Foster, awarded a BEM for services to the community in Chesterfield, Derbyshire
• William Ryan, awarded a BEM for services to rugby football in Cornwall