King's Birthday Honours Essex: 'Inspiring' paramedic among Essex people named in honours list

An "inspiring" paramedic, campaigning journalist, MP and professional cyclist from Essex have all been named in King Charles III's birthday honours list this weekend. The honours list was announced this evening (June 14) with 25 residents of the county being recognised.

Cycling sprint star Mark Cavendish, 39, has been given a knighthood, won a joint record 34 Tour de France stages, and won the world road race title in 2011, the same year he was made an MBE. He was also a silver medallist in the omnium at the 2016 Olympics.

Cavendish said: “I’m truly humbled to be honoured by His Majesty The King. It’s always been the biggest privilege to represent my country, and seeing cycling as the sport, pastime and mode of transport I’ve given my life to, grow in Great Britain during the span of my career has given me joy and pride beyond words. I’m truly thankful to everybody who has lived this journey with me.”

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Additionally honoured was David Dean, a now-retired paramedic from Wickford who gave 36 years of service to the East of England Ambulance Service Trust. Mr Dean, 60, retired from the trust in Marc this year; during his career, he also mentored newly qualified paramedics and students as they began their careers in the ambulance service. He received the King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM).

David said: "When I first heard about the award I was surprised and humbled at being nominated. It’s been an amazing 36 years working on the front line of the ambulance service, the job has changed immeasurably since I started, especially the level of care and treatment we can give to our patients in the field which is saving lives everyday.

"I am proud to accept this award on behalf of all the hard-working ambulance crews who on a daily basis put themselves in danger to help other people without any recognition."

Lisa Fautley, Head of Clinical Operations for Mid and South Essex, who worked closely with David during his time at EEAST, added: "I am delighted to see David recognised with a KAM for his service at EEAST. He was a truly professional and dedicated employee for over 36 years, who provided outstanding and first-class pre-hospital emergency care to thousands of patients in their time of most need.

"He has demonstrated loyalty to the ambulance service and his colleagues, and he was a highly respected individual throughout his career. I want to congratulate him on this huge achievement, it is well-deserved!"

Among the other residents honoured was Wendy Brading, who has worked as a journalist in Essex for over four decades, and has been made a Member of the British Empire (MBE). She joined Essex County Newspapers - later to become Newsquest Essex - in 1986 rising to the role of Deputy Head of News.

In 2013, she won the EDF Energy East of England award for Community Campaign of the Year for her work on Cassie's Law and the campaign also won special recognition at the Society of Editors awards. It was launched following the death of teenager Cassie McCord.

Cassie was standing on the pavement in Head Street, Colchester, when a car, driven by pensioner Colin Horsfall, drove into her. Three days earlier, police had appealed to Mr Horsfall, 87, to surrender his driving licence after he drove the wrong way into a petrol station and failed an eyesight test. He refused and the police had to apply to the DVLA to rescind his licence.

However, in the meantime, he drove again and killed Cassie, 16. The campaign, led by Cassie's mother, Jackie, sought a change in the law to allow police officers to temporarily seize a driver's licence when they were considered unfit to drive. A petition of 46,000 names was presented to the Government which agreed to implement Cassie's Law.

Mum-of-two Wendy, 59, said: "I feel incredibly honoured to be recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list. I first entered a newsroom on work experience at the age of 14 and retired as a journalist 45 years later.

"I have always believed journalism is a force for good. It is a cornerstone of democracy and is vital for holding authority to account, exposing wrongdoing, celebrating achievement and giving a voice to those who would not otherwise be heard. Without journalists, corruption thrives and truth is lost."

She added: "I feel utterly humbled to be made an MBE. The plaudits should go to those courageous journalists who risk their lives to show the world what is going on in war zones such as Ukraine and the Middle East. However, as a local paper journalist, I hope I have served my community with integrity and hope I have made a difference."

The full list of Essex residents recognised in the King's birthday honours

Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)

• Mark Cavendish MBE. For services to Cycling and to Charity Work. (Essex)

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

• Rebecca Harris. Lately Comptroller and Member of Parliament for Castle Point. For Political and Public Service. (Essex)

Companions of the Order of the Bath (CB)

• Simon Patrick McKinnon CBE. Lately Director General, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to Digital Technology. (Shenfield, Essex)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

• Dr Adam Robert Baker. Head, Fusion Policy, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. For services to Fusion Energy. (Basildon, Essex)

• Christopher Phillip Jones. Chair, Waste Industry Safety and Health. For services to Health and Safety. (Chelmsford, Essex)

• Nicholas Peter Maclean. Trade and Investment Envoy, Scottish Government. For services to Trade and to Bilateral Relations. (Rayleigh, Essex)

• Orla Mary MacRae. Deputy Director, Department for Science Innovation and Technology. For services to Online Safety. (Colchester, Essex)

• Professor Matthew Woollard. Professor of Data Policy and Governance, UK Data Archive, University of Essex. For services to Data Science. (Colchester, Essex)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

• Richard Georg Boyd. Senior Policy Adviser, Department for Business and Trade. For services to Mental Health. (Southend on Sea, Essex)

• Wendy Brading. For services to Journalism. (Harwich, Essex)

• William Hiron. Managing Director, Stephensons of Essex. For services to Passenger Transport. (Maldon, Essex)

• Dr Ian Llewellyn. Head, Technical Energy Specialists, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. For services to Net Zero Innovation. (Harlow, Essex)

• Patrick William Thomas Wilkins. For services to St. Paul's Cathedral, London. (Leigh-on-Sea, Essex)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

• Bernadette Marion Banneville. Lately Correspondence Officer, Prime Minister's Office. For Public Service. (Wickford, Essex)

• Sue Burton. Founder, Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary. For services to Equine Welfare. (Ingatestone, Essex)

• Gayle Rosalyn Connors. For services to Radio Broadcasting. (Basildon, Essex)

• Thomas James Culley. Co-Vice Chair, Apprenticeship Ambassador Network. For services to Apprenticeships and Skills. (Waltham Abbey, Essex)

• Carol Olive Hipkin. Founder and Group Chief Instructor, Riding for the Disabled Colchester (Garrison) Group. For services to Young People. (Colchester, Essex)

• Ann Elizabeth Nutt. Chair, Patient Panel, The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust. For services to the NHS. (Harlow, Essex)

King's Ambulance Service Medal

• David Alexander Dean. Senior Paramedic Mentor, East of England Ambulance Service.