COMMUNITY figures across Gwent have been awarded for their efforts in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

The annual list pays tribute to individuals for their achievements in public life and commitment to serving and helping Britain and several Gwent stalwarts have been chosen this year.

One familiar face to pick up a British Empire Medal (BEM) is Auschwitz veteran, Royal British Legion poppy seller and Pride of Gwent winner, Ronald Jones.

The 100-year-old from Bassaleg was recognised with the BEM for voluntary service to ex-service personal and their families and is “excited” about the recognition.

Mr Jones was taken as a prisoner of war in North Africa in September 1940 while serving in the South Wales Borderers and was sent to Stalag V111B Prisoner of War camp.

Through his passion for football in 2013 he told his story to a sports journalist who assisted him to write a book entitled, The Auschwitz Goalkeeper.

He joined the Bassaleg and Rhiwderin Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) in 1982 and remains the branch chair to this day.

In spite of his age, he remains very active, including delivering talks about the work of the RBL to local schools and other groups.

Reacting to the award, he said: “I’m pretty excited naturally.

“I have been selling poppies for the last 20 to 30 years.

“It’s very important to remember the Armed Forces as I was in the Army myself in Auschwitz and was on the death march.

“I take it all in my stride.

“I’m surprised at what I have got, they treat me as a hero but I’m no hero.

“I’m just a survivor”.

Noreen Lewis, of Cardiff and Vale University Hospital Board, was also awarded with a BEM in the honours list for services to haematology nursing in South Wales.

With over 30 years experience, she is recognised for her expertise and clinical leadership, which helped with the expansion of the Blood and Stem Cell Transplant Service in South Wales.

The 55-year-old, of Cardiff Road, Newport, has worked with Macmillan to develop clinical nurse specialists in leukaemia and myeloma and has close links with Teenage Cancer Trust.

She has also developed an inpatient hypnotherapy service for patients and worked with Tenovus to support haematological cancer patients with treatment closer to home with a mobile unit.

She said: “I don’t realise the enormity of (the award).

“I just think, do I deserve it any more than any other hard-working nurses?

“It makes you reflect.

“People say you have achieved so much and have left a great legacy but I think most nurses who do it are just doing their job”.

She added: “I’m very lucky to be part of a team with haematology that shares my high standards and the philosophy is the patient should always be at the centre of everything that’s done.”

Jenny Barnes, of Merthyr Road, Abergavenny, was also recognised in the honours list with a MBE for dedication to improving disabled peoples’ access to public spaces in Monmouthshire.

The 74-year-old, a former Argus photographer, co-founded CAIR (Contact, Action, Inform, Represent) in 1979 which brings together smaller organisations representing disabled people and their carers on issues that affect them.

She has been its unpaid leader for nearly 30 years and her opinion is frequently sought for planning applications where access for disabled people may be affected.

Since 2003, she has campaigned for better disabled access on railways and has received several awards, including the Service in the Community Award from the Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (2014).

Reacting to her award, she said: “It was right out of the blue for me but I was pleased and very chuffed. I still don’t know who put me up to this but it’s nice to have your work recognised.

“I would be most happy if there was absolutely no need for care and the barriers would be removed but that’s not the case.”

The former clerk to the National Assembly for Wales, Claire Clancy, has been made a Dame in recognition for decade’s worth of work in the role.

During her tenure the Assembly became a full law-making parliamentary body through the referendum on further powers in 2011, followed by additional devolution of powers through Wales Acts in 2014 and 2017.

Mrs Clancy, who lives in Usk, said: “I am immensely proud to have played a part in the progress of the Assembly as it has gone from strength to strength over the last decade.

“Working at the heart of Welsh democracy has been an enormous privilege in itself. I am thrilled to bits to receive this amazing honour.

“For me it is, most of all, a tribute to all the talented people that I have been so fortunate to work alongside, who work so hard every day to make the Assembly a success. This is a very special moment in my life and I am hugely grateful.”

Hilary Boulding, of Abergavenny, will also be made a Dame for her services to education and culture in Wales.

Other honour recipients in the list include Roberta Margaret Morris, formerly deputy chief operating officer at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB).

Mrs Morris, who described the NHS as “very special”, will receive an MBE for her services.

She was one of the UKs first Macmillan lead cancer nurses, in Herefordshire, and came to Wales in 2001 as commissioning nurse for cancer and palliative care with Gwent Health Authority.

Her former colleague Miss Denise Llewellyn, who formerly served as executive nurse director at ABUHB, will also receive an MBE.

She has been recently seconded to the Welsh Government, providing professional advice on a range of nursing priority areas including the Free to Lead, Free to Care initiative, and independent prescribing.

Dr Paul Phillips will be given an OBE in recognition for his services to further and higher education as principal of Weston College Group in Weston-super-Mare.

Dr Phillips, who now calls Penhow his home, said: “I am honoured to receive this award, however the real reward is to see how the education that the Weston College Group provides has dramatically changed the lives of people in Weston-super-Mare, across the region, and nationally.

“I am also proud and thankful to be recognised for the part that I have played, but the drive to enhance, engage and improve peoples’ lives through education continues.”

Coed-y-Paen resident Dr Rachel Butler will receive an MBE for developing Genomics services in Wales and across the UK.

Clifford Powis, of Abertillery, will receive an MBE for his services to emergency services for his role as paramedic for the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Carol Wheeler, of Cwmbran, will be awarded a BEM for her voluntary services to Pontypool’s County Hospital.

Secretary of state for Wales, Alun Cairns, congratulated the Welsh recipients of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

He said: “Those who work tirelessly and diligently in their communities are today seeing their names listed alongside luminaries from the worlds of the arts and sport, and they can be rightly proud of their achievements.”

“It is always so uplifting to hear of the good work being done by those honoured, and to see the positive difference they make to our nation.”