FOUR people from the Forest and Wye Valley have had their achievements recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Medals of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) were awarded to euphonium player Lyndon Baglin of Lydbrook Band for services to brass band music and to Forest Pulse’s Pam Jones for services to disabled children, young people and their families in the Forest of Dean.

Newent teacher Diane Harrill was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to education and Chepstow’s Patricia Fernon, of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) , was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to defence procurement.

Pam Jones is charity manager at Forest Pulse, a charity based at Heart of the Forest Community Special School near Speech House.

Parent member of Forest Pulse, Sharon Shirley, said: “This award recognises Pam’s lifetime of dedication to and hard work with vulnerable and disabled children and young people and their families.

“Pam has led and managed Forest Pulse for almost 30 years and during that time the charity has gone from strength to strength. She has tremendous energy and drive which she uses unstintingly to further the interests of Forest Pulse and its members. She is a complete professional with a big heart.

“Pam has expanded membership, broadened the range of services offered and expanded the number of activities, so that Forest Pulse can offer as many opportunities to its young members as possible. Her hard work and commitment have been publicly recognised with this richly deserved award.”

Lyndon Baglin, born in 1937 in Berry Hill, is a well-known member of Lydbrook Band and took the band to championship status as conductor. He is described by fellow musicians as ‘legendary’ and as a ‘a much admired and sought after solo euphonium player’ a role he held with Lydbrook Band until 1960.

Diane Harrill has worked at Newent Community School for 36 years and is head of personal, social and health education.

Fellow teacher, Pippa Palmer, said: “Diane is a pioneer of personal, emotional and social education and emotional wellbeing. She recently led a scheme with pupils to develop dementia-friendly memory boxes.” These have now been distributed to Two Rivers Housing, Forest of Dean Dementia Action Alliance and Newent Library to enable young people learn about dementia and its impact on the family and wider community.

Patricia Fernon is deputy head of commerical land equipment for the MoD and a senior Welsh International golf player.