Forage aid founder recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

Forage Aid founder Andrew Ward has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Mr Ward, who farms 730ha in Lincolnshire, set up and co-ordinated the scheme to help farmers hit by severe winter weather in early 2013 and flooding this year.

The scheme prompted a huge response from the farming community and thousands of tonnes of fodder were donated and transported to stricken farms.

See also Birthday honours 2013

Other key farming and rural figures received mentions for work with farming charities in the honours list.

Farming Community Network volunteer Peter Clarke received an MBE for his work in Cornwall. Kenneth McKenzie also received an MBE for his services to agriculture and charity in Scotland, while Peter Reeder received a British Empire Medal for services to agriculture and the community in Norfolk.

The title of OBE went to Robert Houston for his role as chief veterinary officer for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland.

Julie Fitzpatrick, scientific director and chief executive at the Moredun Research Institute Professor, was also handed an OBE for her work on animal health and science.

Commander of the order of the British empire (CBE)

• Dr Christabel Phyllis Peacock, Buckinghamshire, founder and chairwoman, Sidai Africa. For services to agricultural development in Africa.

Member of the order of the British empire (MBE)

• Peter Vernham Clarke, Devon, volunteer, Farming Community Network. For services to farmers and the community in Cornwall.
• Robert Gerard Hornby, Cheshire, project director, Openreach Next Generation Access, BT. For services to broadband access in rural communities.
• Kenneth McKenzie, Ross and Cromarty, managing director, Dingwall and Highland Marts. For services to agriculture and charity in Scotland.
• Andrew William Ward, Lincolnshire. For services to farming resilience in England and Wales.

Officers of the order of the British empire (OBE)

• Professor Julie Lydia Fitzpatrick, Edinburgh, scientific Director, Moredun Research Institute and chief executive, Moredun Foundation. For services to animal health and science.
• Peter Richard Wavell Hensman, Cumbria. For voluntary service to the rural economy in Cumbria.
• Robert Mairs Houston, County Down, chief veterinary officer, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland. For services to veterinary science in Northern Ireland.
• Anne, Mrs Kelaart, Oxfordshire. For services to the rural community in Oxfordshire.
• Peter Nelson Reeder, Norfolk. For services to agriculture and the community in South Lopham, Norfolk.
• Andrew Thin, Ross and Cromarty, chairman, Scottish Natural Heritage. For services to the environment and rural affairs in Scotland.

Medallist of the order of the British empire (BEM)

• Patrick Joseph Bradley, Londonderry. For services to the rural community in Coleraine, County Londonderry.