A RURAL policing expert, a dedicated GP and a former mayor are among those recognised on the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Daily Echo:

  • Inspector Lou Hubble, pictured above, has been given an OBE for policing services to rural areas in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

She’s the wildlife lover who has served with Hampshire police for 20 years, and has been “instrumental in developing and delivering rural strategy”.

Starting out as a wildlife crime officer and police constable in 1999, she went on to become a sergeant in 2006.

But it was following a series of hare coursing incidents in the Test Valley that she became aware of concerns being raised by the rural community about the police’s ability to deal with crimes of this type.

So she went on to successfully lobby for a dedicated rural crime team which then became Country Watch, initially run as a pilot scheme that was eventually rolled out across the force.

She became the lead for Country Watch before being promoted to strategic rural policing inspector.

She set up the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Rural Partnership Board, building relationships with the community and setting up the community messaging system.

She said: “I am extremely proud of my achievements and am honoured to be in receipt of such a prestigious award. It is a huge personal accolade to be recognised at this level. It demonstrates continued commitment from Hampshire Constabulary in the Country Watch team and their close work with our rural communities.

“Rural policing brings its own unique challenges and I have enjoyed forging strong relationships with many key people, working as part of a small, dedicated specialist team.”

Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said: “Lou has been absolutely tireless in her efforts to build trust and confidence within our rural communities and shown huge leadership in ensuring we understand the challenges of policing a force which is 85 per cent rural. I am sure our colleagues, partners and the public will join me in congratulating Lou on her well-deserved OBE.”

Daily Echo:

  • GP Ruth Padday, pictured above with daughter Natasha, has received a British Empire Medal, honouring her services to youth and healthcare.

It’s an inspirational story of selflessness and dedication to improving the lives of others.

Dr Ruth Padday was nominated by her family and a work colleague for her services to youth and healthcare.

A partner at the Hedge End Medical Centre for almost 25 years, she suffered a life-threatening car accident while in Australia and pregnant with her daughter Natasha, who is now 30.

Dr Padday was in hospital for three months and when Natasha was born she had severe disabilities.

Quadriplegic, non-verbal and epileptic, Natasha has been reliant on her family and carers – but thanks to the dedication of her mum she has also had operations which have improved the quality of her life drastically.

Alongside specialists, Dr Padday identified a special pump which can deliver drugs into the spinal column to stop the bowel from becoming bloated.

For the last 21 years Dr Padday has also run the Teenage Drop-In Centre (now the Young People’s Well-Being Service) in Hedge End, in her own time.

She spent 18 months painstakingly lobbying for funding for the centre and now sees around 1,400 young people a year with the aim of promoting the health and wellbeing of 11-19 year olds.

She has also volunteered for the Jubilee Sailing Trust for nine years, and developed their medical support, helping to set up a team of volunteer medical officers providing the JST with essential advice.

She also provides a 24/7 telephone service to ships’ crews for when medical problems arise at sea.

Dr Padday said of her honour: “I feel incredibly humbled by it all.

“There are so many incredible people doing incredible things and these charities wouldn’t be able to do the life-changing work that they do without them. I’m a small cog in these wheels and I have watched how lives have changed over the years because of these businesses and charities.”

Jennie Dock, Practice Manager at Hedge End Medical Centre, who helped to put Dr Padday forward for the BEM, said: ‘We’ve all admired Ruth for the fantastic work she does for charities and we’re all baffled as to how she fits it all in.

"All of us are thrilled that she’s been formally recognised for her dedication and hard work to making this world a better place for those with less opportunities or those in need. “

Daily Echo:

  • BARRY FURNESS, 76, from Fareham has been awarded a British Empire Medal in recognition of his work for the Royal Air Forces Association.

Mr Furness, pictured above, has held numerous voluntary positions on the RAFA including branch chairman, secretary, Wings Appeal organiser, honorary welfare officer, branch delegate and standard bearer as well as serving on the central and area’s councils.

He has worked ceaselessly to promote the aims of the association and in doing so has, over many years, reached a huge variety of people. He also served as a search and rescue helicopter winch-man and in 1987 he received a commendation for his outstanding contribution when serving at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Mr Furness follows in his father’s footsteps after he was awarded a British Empire Medal in 1946 for service in Palestine as a peacekeeper.

He said: “I am surprised while at the same time pleased to have received such an award for all of my time in the RAF.”

Daily Echo:

  • MARY FREEMANTLE, pictured above, receives the British Empire Medal in recognition of her work in the community of Bishop’s Waltham, where she has lived for the last 49 years.

She ran a weekly Pensioners Lunch Club in the village for more than 30 years ensuring that 50 pensioners got a fresh and home cooked meal. The 69-year-old has also played a prominent role in the and has acted as the secretary for several Scout groups across the Meon Valley.

Talking about her award, Mary said: “It’s come quite a surprise and shock for me as I don’t know who nominated me, I am grateful and look forward to receiving the award.”

Daily Echo:

  • Former mayor of Test Valley MARION KERLEY, 86, from Andover, pictured above, is made an MBE.

She has volunteered for more than 19,000 hours spanning over a 50 year period in her community.

She has bene a school governor and has been volunteering for Age Concern since 1985, and is also a member of Andover Neighbourhood Watch (NW).

She became an Honorary Alderman of Andover in 2012.

Daily Echo:

  • The Metropolitan Police HR Director CLARE DAVIES, from Hampshire, has received an OBE for services to policing. Clare, pictured above, joined Surrey Police in 1991 and became assistant chief officer in 2010.

In 2013, she was appointed Deputy HR Director for the Met and became HR Director in February 2015.

Clare led major transformation in both forces and delivered substantial savings.

Ms Davies has led major workforce reforms such as the first Direct Entry Superintendents and Police Now programmes in the Met.

She has transformed the Met’s recruitment strategy to secure more than 5,000 new officers in under two years.

Clare said: “As a member of police staff and an HR professional, it continues to be a privilege and absolute honour to work in public service and support such a professional police workforce to keep our communities safe.”

Daily Echo:

  • SANDRA SHOWELL, pictured above, a former English teacher at Peter Symonds College in Winchester, was awarded a BEM for services to Education.

Sandra stepped down from the college in 2011 after decades of service. She was at the college for 28 years and had been in charge of public relations for the last 20.

  • DR SAMANTHA GEORGINA HEALY, campaign director of the 5 Percent Club, QinetiQ from Winchester, was awarded a BEM for services to Apprenticeships and Graduate Programmes in the Defence Industry. The 5% Club is focused on creating momentum behind the recruitment of apprentices and graduates into the workforce, with members consisting of large and small employers.
  • Eighty-six-year-old CAROLINE WARD has been honoured with a British Empire Medal. Mrs Ward has volunteered for several Winchester charities over the years. She has been co-organiser for the Winchester Churches Christmas Project for 20 years having only retired from that role in 2015. This charity helps families who are facing difficulties over the Christmas period each year, and supports them if help is required in any way. She has also been involved with Winchester Friends of the Family for many years and Winchester Night shelter since it began as well as the charities Emmaus UK and Winchester Litter Pickers.

Daily Echo:

  • GRAHAM WILSON, a keeper who used to work for the Forestry Commission, (pictured above) has been given a BEM.

He had worked in the New Forest for more than 50 years.

Graham, of Brockenhurst, said: “So many people love the New Forest and it is important to me to be part of the community protecting such a wonderful place and I will remain a Commoner upholding the New Forest’s cultures and traditions.

"I often describe my time in the forest simply, in three words: guardian, custodian and ambassador.”

Daily Echo:

  • Hampshire’s chief fire officer has been awarded a Queen’s Fire Service Medal as part of his service which has spanned more than 30 years.

DAVE CURRY, 54, pictured above, is stepping down from his role at the end of the year, and had been the deputy position for 11 years before taking the top role.

He took the position three years ago, and has lead a national team looking at creating a professional standards body for the UK fire and rescue service.

  • MICHAEL CREIGHTON, from Southampton, has been made an MBE for political and public service.