THE cream of Hampshire’s emergency services have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

Members of the county’s police, ambulance and fire services picked up the prestigious accolades.

After dedicating almost 45 years of his life to Hampshire’s Special Constabulary, Special Inspector Ken Avery has been recognised with a British Empire Medal (BME) for services to policing and the community of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The 72-year-old, from Waterlooville, said he was shocked to hear the news and hopes it will inspire others to follow in his footsteps.

“I was amazed, flabbergasted and excited,” he added. “I feel truly honoured to have been recognised in such a way. I’ve never been in this for the accolades and never thought my name would ever be on the New Year’s Honour list. I just wanted to help my community.

“We have had a really tough year, with my wife battling cancer, so this news has really ended it on a high.”

As part of the Special Constabulary, he volunteers his free time to carry out duties and help his community.

When he first decided to join in 1974, after seeing an advert on a noticeboard, he was a Special Constable helping out officers in his home town of Waterlooville. After a couple of years he was promoted to Sergeant and then to Inspector.

During the last eight years he has been helping recruits to the Special Constabulary, based at its training headquarters in Netley, sharing his wisdom. He has done all this while juggling his own plumbing and building business, other volunteer work and family life with his wife Jan.

“It has been a way of life for me and I have enjoyed every minute,” he added. “If I could go back and do it all again, I would. One of the most rewarding things over the years has been seeing the new recruits get attested after their year of training.

“It is not like it used to be in my day, when you just signed up, they have to go through quite intense training but it is worth it at the end when you see the pride they have in themselves and how proud their families are.

“I would tell anyone who was thinking of joining the Special Constabulary to just do it. There is nothing else like it, it is exciting, interesting and it can be so rewarding.

“I am so proud to be part of an organisation that cares and the people I have met in the force have been so kind and supportive.”

Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said: “I would like to add my personal congratulations to Ken and that of all his colleagues across the Constabulary. He has volunteered for decades, and is the epitome of public service. His award reflects so highly on all of our Special Constabulary and the important role they play.”

Two members of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service were also recognised in the list.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Andy Bowers is said to have reshaped the industry, driving up national standards and being behind many key projects that have put Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service on the map.

Firefighter Kevin Taylor – or Jasper as he is known – has raised more than £100,000 for charities as well as launching community events that are now fixtures in the social calendar.

The pair, who have both attended thousands of incidents, will each receive the Queen’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service.

Dad-of-three Andy, 55, is the national lead for the National Fire Chiefs Council on command and control and is a key figure in shaping industry policy and best practice.

South Central Ambulance Service’s (SCAS) Mark Ainsworth-Smith, the service’s Consultant Pre-Hospital Care Practitioner, has been appointed MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. This has been awarded for his work in emergency care and major trauma.

Will Hancock, SCAS chief executive said: “Mark is an excellent ambassador for South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and has worked tirelessly for the ambulance service.

“He is an inspirational character not only in his commitment to his role responding to emergency incidents but also in training others, both within the ambulance service as well as other NHS professionals locally.

“He has been an exemplary role model and we send our huge congratulations to Mark on this well deserved achievement.”