The woman behind a thriving Chester social club and the chief executive of a charity which provides community transport in Cheshire are among those who have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

People who live and work in Cheshire West and Chester have been showered with gongs for their commitment and dedication in a number of fields.

Chair of Chester Phab Club Lynda Hesketh has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her work with the volunteer-led group, which aims to integrate people with and without disabilities together socially and encourages service users to discover their dreams.

Lynda Hesketh, chair of Chester Phab, with patron Warwick Davis
Lynda Hesketh, chair of Chester Phab, with patron Warwick Davis

A club spokesperson said: “Lynda is more than delighted as you can imagine, it is such a proud moment for her. The award is in recognition of all the work Lynda has undertaken for Chester Phab Club over 27 years.

“She also wishes to thank Phab National for the remarkable journey she had experienced during her voluntary role with Chester Phab Club and Phab National – amazing charities enriching and transforming many lives.”

While Anna Whitty, CEO of ECT in Cheshire, had been made an MBE in recognition of her major contribution to community transport.

Mrs Whitty has overseen the delivery of a range of innovative community transport services for individuals and groups across the UK through the umbrella organisation, ECT Charity, which began 40 years ago in London.

ECT in Cheshire operates the award-winning PlusBus service in the Chester, Neston and Ellesmere Port areas providing door-to-door accessible transport for people who find it difficult to use public transport.

Praise for teamwork

A ‘thrilled’ Mrs Whitty said: “It may be a cliché, but I could not do it without the team.

“The reason we do so well is because the whole team is focused on fulfilling the needs of each individual passenger – this is at the heart of our approach and the reason why community transport itself is so important to our communities.”

Other recipients from the borough include a CBE for Malpas-based Richard Lee Banks, chief executive officer of UK Asset Resolution, for services to taxpayers.

Dr Vanessa Linda Mayatt, from Frodsham, has received an OBE for services to public health and animal health.

Recognised for his services to railways is new MBE recipient John Hulme, from Northwich.

Fellow Northwich resident Shirley Humphries has also been awarded an MBE for her service to the community in Northwich.

Penelope Ann Woodside – formerly clinical lead, operations, nutrition and dietetic services at Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board – has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to Dietetics and the community in North Wales. She lives in Tarporley.

Clutton-based Stephen Peter Morgan OBE has been awarded a CBE for philanthropic services through the Morgan Foundation.

Her services to women and the community in Cheshire have earned chair of Cheshire Women of the Year Sylvia Jean Cheater an MBE.

Northwich’s Marion Kirkham is a recipient of an MBE for voluntary services to children and young people in the North West of England.

Recognised for their services to education are head of Oaklands School in Winsford Kevin Donald Boyle, who has been made an OBE; chair of the West and Chester branch of the National Autistic Society Esther Fletcher has been awarded an MBE; as has Abbey Gate College’s vice-chairman of governors Maria Heywood.