THE great and the good of Somerset are among those recognised in the New Year Honours List.

Among those in the county to be awarded honours are people in public service, volunteers and members of the emergency and armed services.

Our congratulations to all of the recipients who include.

RAYMOND Friel, of Frome, picks up the OBE, for services to education during his time as chief executive of Plymouth CAST, a multi-academy trust of 36 Catholic schools across the South West.

AN OBE goes to Mike Robinson, of Bridgwater, for services to children and young people with autism.

He is the chief executive at Prior's Court, in Thatcham, which offers education, residential care and supportive learning for young people with autism, learning difficulties and complex needs.

CRAIGER Solomons, who lives in Street, collects the MBE for public service in recognition of his work as lead analyst in the technical advisory cell for the Welsh Government.

JASON Hawkes, of Chard, receives the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for services in the community during the Covid pandemic.

Mr Hawkes was chairman of the Chard Covid-19 Support Group, which has helped residents in the are who needed to self isolate during the emergency.

He headed up a team of volunteers who have carried out tasks such as picking up shopping, collecting medicines and other vital supplies, helping people access health and local information, making friendly phone calls and walking dogs.

FORMER Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens becomes an OBE for services to the community.

Ms Mounstevens, an Independent, was the first person to hold the post of PCC in the force area after being elected in 2012.

She was re-elected in 2016 but decided not to stand for re-election in May 2021.

During the early days of her tenure, two chief constables quit - Colin Port in 2013 after Ms Mountstevens invited applications for the role; and Nick Gargan, who resigned after being suspended by her for 18 months.

INSPECTOR Jon Owen has been awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service for helping transform how Avon and Somerset officers interact with vulnerable members of the public in mental health crisis.

His citation says: "He has achieved this through creating a positive relationship with partners within the NHS, increasing police officer knowledge of mental ill health and the associated powers, and ensuring appropriate processes are in place between agencies. His actions have therefore created a better service for the public."

Insp Owen, "an engaging and courageous leader" who openly talks about his personal mental health issues, has developed a network of more than 50 mental health tactical advisors - police officers or staff who have received advanced training regarding mental ill health and the associated legislation.

The citation adds: "His passion and unwavering commitment has transformed Avon and Somerset Constabulary into one of the leading forces nationally with regard to the support in place for police officers

when assisting some of the most vulnerable people within their communities."

ALSO winning the Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service is a former temporary chief constable of Avon and Somerset.

Gareth Morgan, who retired in 2021 after four years as chief constable of Staffordshire Police, was appointed deputy chief constable of Avon and Somerset in 2014.

He took the top job on an interim basis "at a time of significant crisis and instability" force after Nick Gargan was suspended and subsequently resigned.

Mr Morgan's citation says: "He led a complex and sensitive investigation and handled a number of difficult conduct matters with great professionalism and sensitivity.

"He was an integral part of the stabilisation and turnaround of the force."

Since then, Mr Morgan has led a number of regional and national initiatives to ensure that policing attracts, recruits and develops people in the best possible way to meet current and future challenges.

BRIGADIER Dan Cheesman, who served as a troop commander after joining Norton Fitzwarren-based 40 Commando Royal Marines in 1996, is made a CBE.

Following a number of roles in the Marines, Dan returned to 40 Commando to command Bravo Company Group in Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, for which he was appointed MBE.

He commanded 40 Commando’s Command Company for a period before moving to the Ministry of Defence working on counter terrorism.

He has since commanded 45 Commando and served as the Royal Navy's lead for information warfare development and as chief technology officer to the Navy Board.

His award is for transforming the way the service has embraced the white heat of technology and innovation in an age of exponential changes.

He said: “Being the inaugural Royal Navy chief technical has been one of the greatest privileges and challenges of my career.

“My fantastic team and I have helped drive tech change across our £8billion, global, no-fail, always-on organisation that delivers operational success for the nation, day after day, in the most extreme of environments."

ADRIAN South has been awarded the Queen's Ambulance Service Medal for his work as deputy director of clinical care at the South Western Ambulance Service.

READ MORE: CBE for civil engineer educated locally.