World-leading critical minerals expert awarded OBE

Post published:December 30, 2025
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One of the world’s foremost experts on critical minerals and mining, Professor Frances Wall, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List, it has been announced. The Professor of Applied Mineralogy at the Camborne School of Mines, based at the University’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall, received the award for “services to Geoscience and Sustainable Resource Development”. Speaking on receiving the honour, Professor Wall said: ‘I am delighted to have been named for this award. It…

Christmas funding crises mean West councils face tough choices

Post published:December 30, 2025
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Pete SimsonPolitics West ProducerPA MediaCouncils across the West have already suffered serious shortfalls in their budgetMost of us think of Christmas as being about mince pies, mulled wine and Santa.But there is one tradition that befalls our local councils does not involve anything remotely festive. They have to work out how their financial settlements from the government will effect their overall budgets next year.In the West of England, like elsewhere in the country, several local authorities have either…

Wareham military children charity founder gets MBE

Post published:December 30, 2025
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A woman who set up a charity to help support military children has been appointed an MBE.Louise Fetigan, from Wareham, has been recognised in the king's New Year Honours list for services to young people in Dorset.The 43-year-old founded the charity Little Troopers in 2011, which supports children with parents in the armed forces by providing resources to help ease the challenges of military life.Ms Fetigan said she "adored" the charity, adding it had taken "so much sacrifice,…

Medical professionals recognised in Kings New Years Honours list

Post published:December 30, 2025
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Caroline RobinsonSouth WestNHS England South WestDr Michael Marsh was recognised for his contribution over many years to healthcare and public serviceA former medical director is among medical professionals who have been recognised in the King's 2026 New Year Honours list.Medical professionals across NHS England South West were recognised for services to healthcare, including two from Cornwall. Dr Michael Marsh, NHS England's former South West Medical Director, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for…

‘The best gift’ says charity founder in Bournemouth awarded MBE

Post published:December 30, 2025
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The founder of a charity supporting disabled people into work has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.Samantha Everard, known as Sammy, has been made an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for the work she does with her Bournemouth-based charity Support and Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship (SAMEE).SAMEE, founded in 2015, helps disabled people develop employability skills and explore self-employment.Reflecting on the honour she said this was "the best gift" to share with her "incredible…

MP, Paralympian and campaigners to get New Year Honours

Post published:December 30, 2025
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Rachel RussellSouth of EnglandGETTY Images/BBCFrankie Allen (L) and Peter Boyd-Smith (R) are both being recognised in the New Year honoursAn MP is among those from the south of England to be recognised in the New Year Honours list, alongside an array of campaigners and a Paralympian.Anneliese Dodds, who has represented Oxford East since 2017 and was Sir Keir Starmer's former development minister until she resigned in February, has been made a dame.Dodds, 47, said she was "delighted" to…

South West Water helping veterans beat winter money worries

Post published:December 30, 2025
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South West Water (SWW) has joined forces with a charity to help military veterans tackle money worries this winter.The company will attend armed forces hubs across Cornwall, run by the Veterans Regroup project, for free monthly sessions offering confidential advice on debt, health and finding work, to support veterans, serving personnel and their families.SWW has been part of the project since 2023, offering help with bills, water meters and special tariffs for those who need extra water for…

The 12 most important shipwrecks of the South West

Post published:December 30, 2025
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Rebecca RicksBBC South West InvestigationsPA MediaThe MSC Napoli grounded about a mile off Sidmouth, Devon, in 2007For mariners the waters of the South West have long been a challenging, and historically deadly, coastline. In the days before GPS it was the home of tragedies, disasters and misfortunes with thousands of wrecks now laying undiscovered, plundered or broken at the bottom of the sea. With the knowledge of experts, we examine some of the most notable shipwrecks to come…

Cornwall community heroes honoured by King Charles III

Post published:December 29, 2025
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Brenda WrightBrenda Wright said it was "absolutely amazing and surreal" to get the awardPeople 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…

Devon’s local heroes recognised by King Charles

Post published:December 29, 2025
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Royal NavyAngie Cheal, pictured encouraging a fellow sailor during a recovery triathlon, described the honour as "incredible"A number of people in Devon have been honoured by His Majesty the King in the 2025 New Year Honours List.Among those recognised is Angie Cheal, a Royal Navy Warrant Officer, who has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her dedication to helping sailors and Royal Marines recover from serious illness and injury.The Plymouth-based 51-year-old…

Somerset New Year Honours: Cheese producer recognised

Post published:December 29, 2025
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Alexandra BassinghamWest of EnglandBBCRichard Clothier said he was "surprised, honoured and humbled" to be appointed MBEA 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…

Eden Project nature recovery scheme gets £2m funding boost

Post published:December 29, 2025
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Eden ProjectThe Eden Project's Sam Alford, Maz Lynes and Emma Carter are participating in the programmeA programme designed to inspire people to connect to nature has been awarded more than £2m of funding from the National Lottery.The Eden Project scheme - called Nature: Connection and Recovery - aimed to make nature central to boosting health and wellbeing while giving communities tools to take action on climate change, programme leaders said.They said Dundee, Morecambe, Liverpool, Belfast, Newport and Cornwall…