HRH The Queen:

Islanders recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

Congratulations to the six Islanders have been recognised for their work or services in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Member of the British Empire
Sandown town councillor, Heather Humby will be made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for over forty years of services to Sandown.

Helen Butler from Binstead will be made an MBE for her incredible conservation work for Red Squirrels over the last 22 years with the Wight Squirrel Project and Red Squirrel Trust.

Lt Dominic Valvona from Ryde will receive an MBE for his engineering work in the Antarctic on ice patrol vessel HMS Protector.

British Empire Medals
Jillie Wheeler from Bembridge will be awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her fundraising work for charity, having raised over £95,000 over the years.

Rosemary Mitchell will receive a BEM for her services to the East Cowes community. Rosemary is the brainchild behind the popular jigsaw puzzle festival which has raised £19,000 for St James’ Church.

Order of the British Empire
Scientist Mark Simmonds who was born in Shanklin and now lives in Bath was awarded an OBE for his work in marine conservation with whales.


Earlier this month, Rosie Wolfenden from Bonchurch, but now living in London, was awarded an MBE as a fashion innovator. Rosie set up Tatty Devine 13 years ago with Harriet Vine. They started out selling hand-made jewellery at Portobello market and now have two branches of Tatty Devine in London.

Image: Michael Gwyther-Jones under CC BY 2.0