Last updated at 11:10, Monday, 25 June 2012

ENNERDALE farmer WILL RAWLING has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

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With farming in his blood, he received the honour for his services to agriculture and hill farming in Cumbria and Yorkshire and his work in the local community.

Will said: “I was very surprised to receive the letter, taken aback. It is good to be recognised and it is an honour.

“However,’’ he added modestly, “I think it is more in recognition of the wider group who also support hill farming and their communities.’’

Will is chairman of the Farmer Network, secretary of Ennerdale Show and chairman of Ennerdale Community Hub. He is also chairman of the Kinniside Common Graziers and the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association.

The aim of the Network, he explained, was to inform, support and educate.

“The Farmer Network supports local businesses, encourages and helps train young farmers, as well as informing the public about where their food comes from and the need to maintain management systems which benefit the environment,’’ Will said.

He is passionate about sustainable hill farming which produces high-quality food for consumers while maintaining Cumbria’s natural “fauna, flora and habitat’’.

Will’s family roots at Hollins Farm stretch back to the 16th century. His dad, William (known as Bill), who died last January, aged 93, was also awarded an MBE for services to farming and the community of Ennerdale. When told of her son’s award, Will’s mum, Kathleen, was “in tears’’.

Will is now planning to travel to London to receive his award with his wife, Louise. His family told The Whitehaven News they were “very proud’’ of his achievement. A busy man, Will continues to combine his day-to-day farming with his work promoting the industry and highlighting its importance to the country’s food, and environment.“I can be away from the farm quite a bit,’’ he added, “but my family are very supportive and very patient.’’

SHE is used to hunting out heroines for Cumbria’s Women of the Year but now the shoe is on the other foot as TESS HART has been awarded an MBE.

Mrs Hart, 59, organises the annual Women of the Year lunch – which rewards ladies for the good work they do in the community.

Inspired by her late daughter Lauren, who died in 2005 aged 18, she has been a passionate advocate and fundraiser for those living with disability and their carers. Mrs Hart, of Newby East, Carlisle, said: “It seems a bit special to have been given the MBE during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

“I was completely stunned and very touched when I received the letter.

“I usually hand out the awards for Cumbria Women of the Year but this time the shoe is on the other foot and I was given the award instead. It’s wonderful.”

Mrs Hart has supported Carlisle and District Mencap, the local NSPCC, Crossroads Care for carers in Carlisle, and James Rennie School, where her daughter was a pupil.

She recently took on a new challenge, aiming to help raise funds for Carlisle Cathedral Fratry Appeal, which aims to develop the building as a community resource.

She said: “My daughter Lauren has been my inspiration for all the charity work that I have done.

“She was not able to speak but if she was here today I know she would have a big beaming smile and she would be very proud.

“But this award isn’t just about me, it’s about my family too. They are really proud of me but I am really proud of them too. I first became involved in voluntary organisations through Lauren and then different strands developed.”

Several other high-profile Cumbrians have been awarded gongs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours’ List.

Cumbria’s Chief Constable STUART HYDE is given a Queen’s Police Medal and ROB JOHNSTON, chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was awarded an MBE.

Mr Johnston said: “I’m delighted. It’s nice to make a difference. The really nice thing about an award like this is that it’s an independent view of what you do – and recognition for all the extra stuff you do, at weekends and in the evenings.”

Rob has played a key role in several key Cumbrian business initiatives, including the Local Enterprise Partnership and flood recovery initiatives.

Colin Sharpe, president of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Rob publicly for the tremendous work he has put in recent years as chief executive of the chamber, with significant benefits to chamber members and the business community more widely.

“Rob has over many years made a very significant contribution to Cumbria and northwest businesses and the economy, utilising his considerable commitment, energy, knowledge and enthusiasm in a wide range of organisations and groups, going far beyond “the day job”.

MBEs were also awarded to HEIKE HORSBURGH, chief executive of Youth Cumbria, a Keswick-based charity devoted to engaging and inspiring children and young people across the county; JOHN FOX, former artistic director of Welfare State International, a performance collective in Ulverston;

And JACK STOPFORTH, 53, former chief executive of the Cumbria Inward Investment Agency.

British Empire Medals go to two Cumbrians: Brave cancer sufferer ALICE PYNE, whose “bucket list” of things she wants to do before she dies grabbed national headlines; She is an avid charity fundraiser.

And Alice’s sister MILLY KATE PYNE. also received the BEM for fund-raising services for charity.

First published at 11:11, Thursday, 21 June 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk