UNSUNG heroes of Gloucestershire have voiced delight after being named in the Queen's birthday honours list today.
A civil servant and charity stalwart are joined by a business leader in being recognised for their outstanding contributions to life in the county.
Martin James, from Benhall, was named a Member of the British Empire, as much for his work with the unemployed at Cheltenham's Jobcentre Plus as for years of volunteering with Gloucestershire Army Cadets.
The 53-year-old, who has been working for the employment service since 1981, said he was shocked and "honoured" to receive such recognition.
"I'm absolutely delighted," he said. "It was very unexpected – a complete surprise."
He said his varying roles at Jobcentre Plus, where he has worked since 1981, had given him great satisfaction.
"I'm a firm believer that working is good for you – not just financially but also in terms of self-esteem," he said.
"To have been able to work to help get people back into the labour market is something I have found very rewarding."
Outside work Martin dedicates much of his time volunteering with Gloucestershire Army Cadets where he is deputy commandant for the county. From organising camps to instructing young troops, he has been there for 35 years.
Martin added: "I've always been involved in the cadets because it's something I enjoy.
"You never expect to get any recognition for it."
Also thrilled to receive recognition was grandmother Diana Porter, chairman of the North Cotswolds branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), who was awarded a British Empire Medal.
The 77-year-old, from Moreton-in-Marsh, started volunteering for the charity 47 years ago and has been with the branch since 1993, never missing an opportunity to raise vital funds to help save lives at sea.
Even when on a cruise earlier this year, she and her husband Harold persuaded operators to let them run a Grand National sweepstake, raising £900 for the cause.
"Volunteering for the RNLI has been my life's work," she said. "It's a great honour to be recognised like this and something I'm very proud of.
"But we have some great support and there are many other volunteers apart from me who do a lot of good work.
"For an inland branch of the RNLI, we do a fantastic job in raising a tidy figure every year."
Given an OBE was Diane Savory, chair of the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and former chief operating officer for SuperGroup, for her services to business. She described it as a "real honour".
Frederick Ind and James Scurlock, who work at Prince Charles' Highgrove estate, were awarded Royal Victorian Medals, whilst Royal Marine Lt Col Cliff Dare, son of former county council leader Barry Dare, was given an MBE.
