Royal honours for Gwent’s unsung heroes (From South Wales Argus)

Royal honours for Gwent’s unsung heroes

10:30am Thursday 31st December 2009

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A MONMOUTHSHIRE reverend and a former Torfaen county councillor are among six Gwent people to be included in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

Dr Rev Jean Prosser, from Abergavenny, who has helped restore many historical buildings, which would otherwise have been lost, said she was shocked and pleased to be awarded an MBE for services to conservation and the community in Monmouthshire.

She said: “I had no idea how it happened or who must have put my name forward.”

Rev Prosser moved to Abergavenny 18 years ago and is responsible for the Grosmont parish which includes Llangattock Lingoed, Llanfair Gilgoed and Skenfrith.

The grandmother-of-five first became involved in conservation work when she was involved in the restoration of St Cadocs Church, Llangattock, in 2002.

The following year she set up the Village Alive Trust to help restore historical disused buildings all around Monmouthshire.

Since then the Trust has gained funding from various organisations such as the European Union, Monmouthshire council and Cadw to restore two cider mills, two well houses, a grade-two listed barn and two other farm buildings which have been brought back into use.

Without the Trust the buildings would otherwise be lost, many becoming dilapidated beyond repair.

Rev Prosser, who has three children Gavin, Paul and Nicola, is married to David and said her family was just as surprised as she was at her award.

Former Torfaen councillor Neil Lewis said he was humbled by the news he was to receive an MBE.

Mr Lewis, 64, who was a county councillor for Blaenavon 15 years, was instrumental in the regeneration of the town, which followed after it gained World Heritage status in 2000. This included the revamp of the main shopping area in Broad Street, the development of the World Heritage Centre and the refurbishment of the Workingmen's club and other buildings in need of repair. During his time as executive member for regeneration for Torfaen council in 2006, he was chairman of the World Heritage Forum for the United Kingdom.

But modest Mr Lewis, who was a town councillor for 25 years, said he had all his former colleagues at Torfaen council who helped with the regeneration to thank for the award.

Mr Lewis, who is married to Margaret, 62 and has two daughters Jane, 39 and Sarah, 38, said his family was very proud of his achievement.

Gwent's chair of magistrates, Geoffrey Davies, said his OBE was the perfect early birthday present, as he celebrates his 67th birthday on New Year's Day.

He said he was thrilled with the news he will receive the award for services to the administration of justice.

Originally from Tredegar, Mr Davies became a magistrate on the Tredegar bench in 1987 and was chairman of north west Gwent Magistrates for two years until 2006.

When north west and south east amalgamated that year, Mr Davies became the first chairman of Gwent Magistrates, serving for three years. His term of office comes to an end today.

The father-of-two and grandfather-of-four, who lives with wife Deirdre in Llangattock, helped form the Wales Bench Chairman's Forum, where all 24 bench chairmen in Wales come together discussing issues and creating a unified voice.

Anne Roberts, of Chepstow, receives an OBE for services to carers, through her role as chief executive for the Crossroads Association of Carers, which provides support for carers and the people they care for.

Dr Sian Eluned Rees, inspector of Ancient Monuments, of Raglan, was awarded an CBE for services to Cadw.

Glendon Austin Chappelle, of Abergavenny, project manager at Global Combat Systems, BAE Systems, will get an MBE for service to the defence industry and industrial heritage.

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