King's Birthday Honours List: Recipients from across Basingstoke

From a clockmaker who has been winding the clock at Whitchurch Silk Mill for over a decade to a charity chief executive who cycled to the Polish-Ukrainian border and many more – the very best of the borough have been honoured.

Gary Shaughnessy, from Tadley, has been named in the King’s first Birthday Honours List. He has received a CBE for his services to business and charity. 

Gary was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015 and became CEO of Zurich’s European business before stepping down in 2019. He is now chair of the board of trustees for both Parkinson’s UK and Z Zurich Foundation. 

Since his diagnosis, he has taken on numerous physical fundraising challenges to raise awareness and funds for both charities, becoming a role model for many members of the Parkinson’s community in the process. 

Gary Shaughnessy (Image: Parkinsons UK)

Gary said: “When I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I didn’t know what the future would hold, and I certainly never expected that it would lead me here and to this award. My wife Janet, told me to focus on what I could do, and that approach is what has driven me to where I am today. 

“I’m incredibly humbled and grateful, as all I ever set out to do was to take control of my condition and show others that they could do the same. Charities play an important role in society, one that cannot be underestimated and awards like this reflect that.”

Whitchurch resident and clockmaker David Poole has been made an MBE for services to horology and heritage crafts.

David Poole winding up the clock at Whitchurch Silk Mill (Image: Whitchurch Silk Mill)

David said: "I was thrilled to receive information about being awarded with MBE for service to horology and heritage crafts. 

"For many years I have been actively encouraging young people to become clock and watchmakers, arranging apprenticeships, and writing materials for training. 

"There is a great shortage of clock and watchmakers and few opportunities to learn.  Both clock and watchmaking are endangered crafts, definitely a career which should be carefully considered.   

"The craft of clockmaking is fascinating and satisfying; encouraging others to become involved is particularly rewarding.  

"It is wonderful to be recognised for work that has been such fun and worthwhile."

David has also been a volunteer clock-winder at Whitchurch Skill Mill for more than a decade.

Chineham father Steve Edney has been awarded a BEM for his services to charity. Over the years Steve has raised over £100,000 for the Brittle Bone Society.

Steve raises money for the charity in honour of his son Max, 11, who suffers from brittle bone disease.

Steve Edney with son Max after completing the London Marathon

He said: “I was totally surprised when I came home and saw the letter, I started reading it and it was almost like an out-of-body experience.

“The Brittle Bone Society is a national charity and Patricia Osborne, who is the CEO, is very kind about us, she says we are by far the biggest fundraising family that they have had in their 55 years.”

Steve added: “Our gratitude is to the so many people around our community who have come to our events and raised awareness.”

President of the Basingstoke Astronomical Society Guy Hurst has been awarded a BEM for services to amateur astronomy.

Guy, who became involved in astronomy in 1971, was the president of the British Astronomical Association (BAA), which has around 3,000 members, until 2000. His particular interest is in novae and supernovae, and has been awarded by the BAA with the Walter Goodacre Medal - the highest honour the association awards - and honoured by the Royal Astronomical Society.

Speaking about receiving his honour, Guy said: "I was completely shocked, it is a great honour to be recognised."

Over the years, Guy has given hundreds of talks on astronomy, one of which was to NASA officials in Alabama, USA, in 2000. 

"I was thinking at the time, what should I do in retirement, and the phone rang, I was in utter amazement it was NASA. 

"I thought crikey how did they get my number. They said they were interested in the great work done by amateur astronomers in Britain."

Preston Candover resident Selwyn Walker has been given a BEM for services to his community.

Vice president of World Triathlon Ian Howard from Hook has been made an MBE for services to triathlon.

Ian said: "I am honoured and humbled by this award for services to the sport of triathlon. I was lucky enough to take part in the first British National Championships in Reading exactly forty years ago. Since that time the sport has grown and grown to become one of the most exciting and most watched Olympic and Paralympic sports in the world.

"This award is not so much a celebration of my personal journey as a testament to the community of athletes, coaches and officials most of whom are volunteers, who have made this journey with me. This is for the world community of triathlon. Together we have really achieved greatness and I continue to be excited about what lies ahead".

For services to transport and the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Basingstoke resident and former chief customer and strategy officer for Transport for London Gareth Powell has been made an OBE.

Gareth is now the managing director of London Stansted Airport.

Former chief constable Olivia Pinkney has been recognised, being awarded a CBE for services to policing.

Olivia, who announced in September 2022 that she was leaving policing after 31 years, became Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s first female chief constable when she took up the position in April 2016.

In 2016, Olivia was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year Honours list.

Olivia said: “I am extremely honoured to receive this award for services to policing. I am delighted to accept it, and I do so on behalf of the fine profession that I was proud to serve for 31 years. Proud of the service delivered by the most brilliant, compassionate, humble, and capable people who genuinely make a difference every day.”