Queen honours West Somerset training academy founder

THE retiring principal of Foxes Academy, Minehead, has received an MBE in the Queen’s New Years Honours List.
Maureen Tyler-Moore was honoured for her services to special needs education.
She co-founded with Sue Jenkins the training academy for young adults with learning disabilities in 1996 with just three students.
Since then, the hotel and catering industry training establishment has grown to accommodate more than 70 students.
Earlier this year, Maureen announced she was stepping down as principal to be replaced by Vanessa Cleere, who has worked at the academy since 2006.
Maureen and Sue will continue to develop the training centre as directors of the company.
All of the students who attend the academy have conditions which affect their learning, such as cerebral palsy or Down’s syndrome, or may suffer brain damage and/or epilepsy.
They spend up to three years under close supervision in a working hotel environment acquiring skills intended to help them gain employment in the hospitality industry.
Mrs Tyler-Moore said: “The only way you can teach these kids is in a practical way.
“We are proud of what we achieve at Foxes.
“We turn students into people that have the confidence to go out there and get on with their lives.”
Both Maureen and Sue were working in geriatric care and were looking for a new challenge when they had the idea for Foxes Academy.
Maureen said: “We felt strongly that it was not enough just to teach young people with special needs how to cook, make beds and wait at tables.
“Unless they learn how to get up on time in the morning, catch a bus to work, look after their money, and so on, they are never going to find and hold down a job.
“So, you have to teach them independent living skills as well, and you cannot do that in a classroom.”
Other Somerset honours included an MBE for 90-year-old Margaret Way for voluntary service to speech and drama.
Miss Way, who is speech and drama secretary of the Somerset Music and Drama Festival, began teaching in the 1930s.
She served in the Army during and after the Second World War and earlier this year was also presented with a Somerset High Sheriff’s Award and a Mayor’s Civic Award in recognition of her contributions to the community.
An OBE was awarded to Somerset County Council’s cultural services head, Robert Froud, for his services to local government.
Mr Froud was formerly the county librarian and has given more than 30 years’ service.
Brigadier John Hemsley also received an OBE for voluntary service to the St John Ambulance Brigade and to the community in Somerset.
The ex-Somerset Light Infantry officer is chairman of the St John’s Fellowship in the Priory of England and the Islands, an old comrades association which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.
Somerset County Council’s lieutenancy officer, Diane Stanton, received a Royal Victorian Order.

Ron receives MBE for services to air force veterans

A WEST Somerset man has received the MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours for his services to the Royal Air Forces Association.
Ron Storey, who lives with his wife Joan in Spring Gardens, Minehead, was the only local resident to receive an honour this year.
Mr Storey (pictured), aged 86, was nominated for his work in fund-raising with RAFA throughout Somerset.
He has supported RAFA for 58 years since joining it in 1949, a year after it was formed.
During the Second World War, he was a wireless operator on bomber aircraft and on one raid he was shot down over France.
However, Flt Sgt Storey managed to evade the Germans with the help of French farmers and the Maquis - French resistance fighters - and returned to England unharmed.
Elsewhere, there was also an MBE for Timothey Dallimore, who is the project co-ordinator of the Somerset Vernacular Building Research Group, which is currently undertaking a three-year study of about 100 houses in Stogursey.
Mr Dallimore received his honour for services to heritage in Somerset.
Somerset’s top fireman, Paul Young - Chief Fire Oficer of the combined Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service - was made a CBE in the honours list for his services to local government.
A Queen’s Fire Service Medal was also given to Robert Fyfe, the brigade’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer, for distinguished service.
Mr Young said: “I am pleased and proud to receive this honour. Having spent 34 enjoyable years serving in the fire and rescue service, it is gratifying to be so honoured.
“However, I believe that this honour reflects the good work achieved by the service in general and not just by me personally.”
Mr Fyfe said: “I also am proud to receive this honour and I have no doubt that it is largely due to the support of my colleagues in the service and to them I am eternally grateful.”
Robert Beckley, the Deputy Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, was awarded a Queen’s Police Medal for his distinguished service.
DCC Beckley is responsible for the day-to-day performance of the constabulary and delivery of strategic change in the force.
His award from the Queen particularly recognises his work with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) race and diversity committee and terrorism and allied matters committee.
He set up and led the National Community Tension Team in its work in respect of community cohesion, public disorder, and the community strand of the national prevention of terrorism strategy.
DCC Beckley also has wide command experience, having been the police commander for the Potters Bar train crash in 2002, leading the national police service response to community tensions and concerns after the 7/7 London bombings, and helping to co-ordinate the response to the Buncefield oil depot fire.
DCC Beckley said: “It is with pride and a sense of achievement that I receive this honour, but it also reflects the professionalism and commitment of many people who have supported my work.”
Chief Constable Colin Port said: “I am absolutely delighted with this honour bestowed upon Rob.
“It is thoroughly deserved as he has made an outstanding contribution to policing for 21 years, demonstrated in particular in his leadership after the 7/7 bombings in London in 2005.”