SENIOR verderer Bob Jenkins was honoured in the recent New Year Honours for his service to the community in the Forest of Dean.

He was awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours.

Also honoured was Zoe Aldcroft Stratford, the England rugby World Cup winner, who started her career in the game while studying at Hartpury.

She receives the OBE, along with honours for Red Roses team mates, for services to sport.

Mr Jenkins, who lives in Christchurch, was nominated by colleagues in the Rotary Club of the Royal Forest of Dean.

He was nominated in recognition of his decades of public service and as a successful businessman.

As well as serving as one of the four verderers of the Forest of Dean, Mr Jenkins has also been a magistrate, school governor and served on chairman of the Gloucestershire Police Authority, Two Rivers Housing Association and the standards panel of the Forest Council.

He was also president of Berry Hill rugby club.

He discovered that he had been nominated when he received a letter from the Cabinet Office last November.

He said: “I didn't expect it and then I got the letter.

“It’s come from Rotary, they'd been doing all that work behind my back and I didn’t know that was all going on!

“It's nice to to think that someone has appreciated what I’ve done over the years.”

Mr Jenkins was born at the Royal Oak pub at Fetter Hill near Coleford in 1933 and was brought up in Mile End.

He was educated in Berry Hill where he later became chair of governors.

Mr Jenkins became a verderer, the guardians of the Forest “venison and vert” in 1992 and said he gets “a great deal of satisfaction” from the role.

He said his “most serious role” was as chairman of the police authority.

“Halfway through that the Chief Constable retired and we had to appoint a new one

“Here’s me, a little boy out of the Forest choosing the Chief Constable for the county which is a lot of responsibility.”

After National Service with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, he went into the garage business.

At its height, he owned seven garages in Gloucestershire – including Five Acres Garage in Berry Hill – Herefordshire and Monmouthshire.

Between them they employed more than 200 people.

Red Roses captain Zoe told Gloucester Rugby: “Being named on the King’s New Year honours, alongside some of my amazing teammates, is a special privilege.

“The recognition isn’t mine alone. This year I have felt nothing but love and support from so many people and I am extremely grateful.

“My family’s belief in me on this journey has been unrivalled, and I am also fortunate to have been surrounded by an unbelievable group of players and staff who have given everything to the Red Roses.

“As Red Roses, our aim is always to inspire. We hope we will continue to do so in 2026 and make people all over the country incredibly proud.”