A former student at Monmouth School for Girls has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Dr Jenny Harries has been appointed as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to health.

She was appointed OBE in the 2016 New Year Honours.

Dr Harries is just one of several local people to be awarded honours this week.

Civil Service Sports Council Group chief executive Simon Lee from Monmouthshire was named as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2022 New Year’s Honours list while prolific charity fundraiser Gerald ’Ged’ Beaumont from Usk and Magor was recognised for services to people with disabilities in Wales with a British Empire Medal.

Monmouth-born Dr Harries is chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, which combines Public Health England and NHS Test and Trace.

Four of Dr Harries’ children attended Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools.

Dr Harries shot to public attention last year, giving live updates in daily press conferences at Downing Street on the Covid-19 pandemic.

She was a regional director at Public Health England, and then Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England from June 2019 to April 2021.

She also served on the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and brings a wealth of public health knowledge and expertise gained from working in the NHS and local government at local, regional and national levels.

Dr Harries also played central roles in the UK’s response to Ebola, Zika, monkeypox, MERS and the Novichok attacks.

Mrs Jessica Miles, Headmistress at Monmouth School for Girls, said: "Dr Harries is an inspiration to pupils at Monmouth School for Girls.

"As a school community, we are very proud of how Dr Harries has led the country’s response during this pandemic, and are delighted that her outstanding work has been recognised in the New Year Honours."

Simon Lee OBE joins development executive Hedley Featherstone, who was also named on this year’s list, which recognises individuals who have provided long-term, significant services to their communities.

Simon Lee has led CSSC since 2012 and has transformed the organisation, which supports over 140,000 civil servants across the UK to lead healthier lives, delivering consistent membership growth every year.

It is under Simon’s leadership that CSSC began offering members free access to English Heritage sites, as well as pioneering their market leading discounts platform which includes 3,000 ways to save. In 2019, Simon signed the Armed Forces Covenant to reinforce the relationship enjoyed between CSSC and the Services since 1922. Simon has been recognised for services to sport and wellbeing.

Simon Lee, CSSC group chief executive said: "When I joined CSSC just under 10 years ago, I joined an organisation that was bursting at the seams with potential, with an incredibly dedicated team of staff who were committed to improving the lives of our civil servants and public sector employees and their families.

’’This award recognises the dedication and passion that our staff and volunteers have shown, day in, day out, over many years, in providing vital wellbeing support and services to our members all over the UK. Their work has never been more important than it is today."

On November 4 2021, CSSC turned 100 years old. Throughout 2021, the organisation has been marking its centenary year with a series of special events nationally and locally, including a reception at Kensington Palace in September, hosted by CSSC’s Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, in the presence of key volunteers and members as well as the publication of a special edition book documenting CSSC’s first 100 years.

Charity fundraiser Gerald ’Ged’ Beaumont, 62, dressed up as a Lancaster bomber to do a 180-mile VE

*continues on page 3

Day bike ride that raised £2,000 for charity, has helped hundreds of people since 2007 through fundraising, working as a handyman, providing fitness and wellbeing support, and administrative duties.

Having previously raised £60,000 for charity, he helped raise more than £40,000 through organising and taking part in Tour De Cymru in 2017 and 2018, riding with other cyclists 350 miles in four days to all the Leonard Cheshire bases in Wales before rolling in to the finish at the Geraint Thomas Velodrome in Newport.

Since then, some of the cash raised has helped found ’Strictly Come Dancing’ for the Disabled, which has now been awarded National Lottery funding.

During the current pandemic, he also delivered PPE supplies across Wales, to frontline staff, sometimes driving through the night.

His 75th anniversary VE Day ride in 2020 saw him cycle circuits around the local caravan park to raise cash to help buy IT equipment to help tackle loneliness and isolation amongst disabled people.

Also awarded a BEM is Abergavenny town and Monmouthshire county councillor Maureen Powell, aged 84, who is also a governor at King Henry VIII School.

The Castle ward councillor and former town mayor has attended no less than 43 out of 44 council meetings over the last 12 months, having been chairwoman of the county authority in 2012 and 2017.

She admitted she was "astonished" to be offered the award and said: "It came as a surprise to me, but at the same time I feel very honoured.

"I spend so much of my time supporting other people and I try to answer all of the calls my constituents make to me.

"If I can’t solve it myself, I pass it to the department that can."

Cllr Powell sits on several council committees, including planning, and often volunteers at local community events.

"I’ve always been very pleased to work with other people," added the Welsh Conservative councillor, who says she intends to stand in the May elections.

"Obviously everything doesn’t always go smooth, but I’ve found being a councillor very rewarding. I love helping people and doing things."

Derek Warren, from Caldicot has also been awarded a BEM, for services to young adults in South Wales.

The 68-year-old is a Warrant Officer for No 1 Welsh Wing of the Air Training Corps, where he has served as a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer since 1969 when he joined 2272 Chepstow Sqn in 1969 as a "Welfare Officer", before later moving to the newly formed 2012 Caldicot Sqn as a Civilian Instructor.

An ATC spokesperson said: "He has had a tremendous influence on the adult SNCO cadre in the Wing, ensuring these pivotal roles are managed, trained and involved at all levels in an effective, mature and professional manner, providing clear guidance and enforcement of regulations.

"He has established training courses for cadets, adult SNCOs and Officers, imparting the ethos, etiquette, behaviour and physical skills required to undertake NCO duties. He regularly provides assistance to other Wingsâ¦

"Warrant Officer Warren has always been a driver for innovation, change, personal development, and practical achievement during his service.

"He has promoted pride in the RAF Air Cadet organisation, and his exemplary character, achievements and stature within the Wing are deserving of this higher-level award.

"It’s just what we do," said Mr Warren, who described himself as "overjoyed and elated" with the award. "We do what we have to do for the young people."

Catherine Spiller has also been awarded a BEM for services to the Reserves and Cadets Forces and the community in Monmouth.

The 53-year-old is deputy head of estates for the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association Wales, and has worked with the organisation for nearly 40 years.

During the first lockdown, she organised the Army Reserve and Cadet Training Centre accommodation for use those helping during the pandemic.

And she said of her award: "I was surprised to be honest, but I’m delighted.

"What can I say, it’s quite an honour and I am delighted to receive it."

Awarded an MBE is Professor Euan Hails, a consultant nurse within the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in Gwent with responsibility for leading and developing nursing and health professionals and developing and leading clinical practice that is psychologically and research-based.

Professor Hails, aged 55, has spent a career helping those in need, leading the development of the national Early Intervention Psychosis (EIP) services across Wales and has been recognised for services to children and young people’s mental health in Wales.

Mother-of-two Kate Mavor, 59, from Crickhowell, who is chief executive of the English Heritage Trust, has been made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Heritage.

Ms Mavor was previously chief executive of the National Trust for Scotland, where she transformed the charity’s fortunes, introducing a five-year-plan to restore its financial stability and giving it a new sense of purpose.