North Wales MP knighted as mountaineering, fire and health stalwarts also recognised

North Wales Live

21 hours ago

More than 70 people from Wales who have contributed to their community and country are celebrated in His Majesty The King's Birthday Honours List 2025 today. They include the politician The Rt. Hon. Mark Richard Tami MP Member of Parliament for Alyn and Deeside who has been knighted for Political and Public Service.
In total 1,215 recipients have been awarded for their exceptional achievements, with a particular focus this year on those who have given their time to public service.
This year's recipients include dedicated community champions, role models in sport, pioneers in the arts, passionate health workers, and supporters of young people. Recipients from Wales make up 6% of the total number of recipients receiving honours this year.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 'This year's Birthday Honours List is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and service that exists in every corner of our country. From community champions to cultural icons, each recipient reflects the very best of Britain. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to them all.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
The Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens MP, said: "Huge congratulations to the incredible individuals from Wales who have been recognised in The King's Birthday Honours List. Each award recipient has demonstrated dedication, passion, and commitment to their communities, making significant contributions that resonate far and wide.
'Your work in supporting vulnerable people, championing the arts, increasing access to sport and improving lives in countless ways, serves as an inspiration to all. Thank you for your exceptional service.'
Notable recipients across Wales include:
* Oliver Sykes, 36, of Denbigh, who receives an MBE for services to Access to the Arts for Underprivileged Young People. His work leading the Stories for Care programme has empowered over 5,000 young people from low income backgrounds, and given them access to literary works not normally available to them.
* Muriel Morgan, who receives the British Empire Medal for services to the community in Wrexham. At the age of 88 years old she has only recently retired from her 50 year career in the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS).
During her time in RVS she coordinated volunteer drivers to take elderly and vulnerable people to medical appointments they might not otherwise be able to make. She worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure the service was maintained and that even in one of the most challenging times for the service, their service users were still able to attend critical medical appointments.
She would organise transport for service users with anywhere between four and nine volunteers, as a co-ordinator who considered her a friend and she has seen the service through challenges, including the pandemic where other volunteers had to retire.
She has recently been instrumental in handling the service on to The Rainbow Foundation, so she can enjoy an incredibly deserved retirement.
Other recipients from Wales include:
* Louis William Hiatt, 40, of Gwynedd, is awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community in Aberdyfi and Tywyn. His community work above and beyond his duties has considerably improved the recruitment and retention of retained firefighters in his locality.
He located, fundraised for, and restored a fire engine once based at Aberdyfi Fire Station (his local station), which is 60 years old, and has now returned it to the station on public display. He has served as a retained firefighter for over 22 years.
In 2023, he organised and hosted an open day at Aberdyfi Fire Station to celebrate 125 years of firefighting in the village. Approximately 2000 people came throughout the day.
He and his crew work tirelessly to fundraise and have raised over £22,000 on behalf of The Firefighter's Charity to date. He is widely known in the Service and his community for 'getting involved' in fundraising and charitable efforts, his most notable and long-running community project is his chairing of a local pantomime group, Aberdyfi Players, raising over £700 annually.
* Rebecca Ashcroft, 56, of Mold, is made a MBE For services to Mountain Rescue. The demand for mountain rescue callouts has surged from 15-20 jobs per year in the 1990s to 75-90 currently.
She is a role model and mentor, breaking down barriers for women in the team, and her diversity policy has been adopted by other teams. She led the North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2020, utilising her knowledge of charity law, protocols, and procedures.
She is a highly qualified Search Manager, recognised as one of the best in the UK. She has served as a Trustee since 2016 and as Chair since 2022 of NEWSAR. As the Trauma Incident Manager, she assists the public and supports team members who have experienced stressful and disturbing events during mountain rescue operations.
She joined the Mountain Rescue team at the age of 17 in February 1986, having already been involved through volunteering with NEWSAR as part of her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.
* Simon Alistair Bareham, 65, of Bangor, , who is lately a Senior Specialist Adviser, Radioactivity and Industry Policy, is made an MBE For services to the Protection of Air Quality and Biodiversity in Wales. For 38 years of public service Simon has been a leading figure in the field of air pollution and its effects on the natural environment.
He has led the way, highlighting the impacts of air pollution, which is one of the primary causes of wildlife loss and environmental degradation in Wales. He has secured action in Wales and across the UK to tackle the impacts of nitrogen deposition caused by ammonia and nitrogen oxide emissions from intensive farming practices and fossil fuels.
As the inspirational Chair of the JNCC Interagency Air Pollution Group, he used his enthusiasm and professionalism to garner co-operation across the UK and Europe. Most notable has been his work and influence as chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Interagency Air Pollution Group for over 20 years.
More recently, he worked to ensure the impacts of air pollution on biodiversity, protected and important ecological sites were included within the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024.
* Steven John Amor, Lately Watch Manager, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, is awarded the MBE for services to the community in Mid Wales(Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys).
* Iain Keith Ashcroft, of Mold, who is Operations Officer of North Wales Mountain Rescue Association, gains the MBE for services to Mountain Rescue.
* Ann Atkinson, of Corwen, opera singer and former Artistic Director of North Wales International Festival, is awarded the MBE for services to Music.
* Victoria Poole, of Prestatyn, who is Deputy Chief Inspector, Care Inspectorate Wales, Welsh Government, is made an MBE for Public Service to Social Care.
There are other recipients of honours across North Wales.
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire are awarded to:
* Roberta Morrall for services to the Arts in Nefyn
* Joan Mary Vaughan for services to Older People and to the community in Conwy
* Christopher David Williams for services to the community on Anglesey
* Victoria May Williams for services to the community on Anglesey