Community heroes in the Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth area named in the Queen’s New Year Honours list

Well done to all those who have made a difference in what has been a tough year
Andrew HurstAndrew Hurst
Andrew Hurst

Residents in the Warwick district have been named in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

Many have been praised for going that extra mile during what has been a tough year.

ANDREW HURST

Cllr David Skinner.Cllr David Skinner.
Cllr David Skinner.
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Andrew Hurst, of Leamington, has been awarded the MBE 'for services to dance, particularly during the Covid-19 response'.

Andrew is the chief executive for One Dance UK and the organisation said: "One Dance UK is delighted that the dance sector has once again been recognised in Her Majesty The Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

"This acknowledges the strong contribution that dance – in all its diverse forms – makes to the health and well-being of our nation.

"This year we are thrilled to see so many incredible faces from across our sector being recognised, including an MBE for our chief executive Andrew Hurst.

Katherine HancockKatherine Hancock
Katherine Hancock
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"Recognising these talented dance professionals in this year’s honours demonstrates how highly dance is valued, perhaps now more than ever.

"The focus on the dance sector in these awards, at a trying time for us all is a welcome demonstration of not only the breadth and diverse nature of dance but also the impact and importance of the pioneering and innovative work that these dance leaders have achieved."

CLLR DAVID SKINNER

Cllr David Skinner has been awarded an MBE for services to the community in Coventry - but many from the Kenilworth community will know him well.

He has been much involved with Kenilworth Twinning Association and Kenilworth Tennis, Squash and Croquet Club and received an award from Warwickshire LTA for sports reporting.

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David and his wife Sheila, who is a committee member of Kenilworth Twinning Association and much involved in Stoneleigh WI, live in Westwood Ward. They have five married children and five grandchildren. After time with the Royal Air Force, David was a career Foreign (now Diplomatic) Service officer. He served altogether in RAF Tangmere; the Central Planning Branch of the RAF; the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where he met Sheila; Bahrain; Democratic Republic of Congo; South Africa; Nigeria; Hannover and Bonn, both in Germany.

He is disabled and permanently restricted to crutches as a long-term result of overseas service. He has a BSc (First-Class Honours) in Economics, Politics and History from the Open University and an MA in International Studies from Warwick University . He is very proud to hold three Queen's Commissions. He is a Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinator for the area of Westwood Ward where he lives.

KATHERINE HANCOCK

The Chief Officer of Warwickshire Police Special Constabulary has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

Katherine Hancock has served in the Special Constabulary for 27 years, becoming the Specials Chief Officer in 2019.

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A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police said: "Katherine is a key member of the force’s Local Policing command team and has worked on everything from serious investigations to incident response to problem solving within local neighbourhoods.

"Katherine is always proactive in ensuring the Special Constabulary play a key part in daily policing within Warwickshire.

"She has been pivotal in co-ordinating Specials policing of the night time economy and work with the force’s roads policing teams, including carrying out activity to support national campaigns in relation to speed enforcement and seat belt campaigns.

"While in her front line voluntary policing role some highlights from Katherine’s career include coordinating support for The Ryder Cup, Warwickshire’s ‘Global Gathering’ festival, the Queen’s visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon and the Olympic Torch relay. Katherine has received two Chief Constable Commendations for this work.

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"The pinnacle of Katherine’s career to date was spearheading a campaign to raise £6,000 to secure a memorial stone for Special Constables at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

"In addition to her voluntary time with Warwickshire Police where in 2020 alone she has worked over 1000 hours, Katherine is also an adult leader with Girlguiding UK."

Warwickshire Chief Constable Martin Jelley said: “I am delighted that Katharine’s enormous contribution as a volunteer to policing in Warwickshire has been recognised with this award. Katharine has been a Special Constable for 27 years and her long term commitment to this and her work with Girlguiding UK shows she is truly deserving of this honour.

“The Special Constabulary is an essential part of modern policing and the work which Katherine and her specials colleagues do is invaluable.”

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On being notified of the award, Specials Chief Officer Katherine Hancock, said: “I am shocked, surprised and extremely happy to be awarded an MBE. I am very proud to have been a part of the Warwickshire Police family for the past 27 years and continue to love every opportunity this brings to help others.

“I am extremely privileged to lead the 91 Specials we have, who in 2020 have dedicated tens of thousands of hours of their time to help protect people in our county.

“When I joined the Specials in 1993 I wanted to give something back to my community, I look forward to continuing to do this in both my Specials role and within Girlguiding for many years to come.”

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