Among the 1,057 people recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, several are from the South Hams.

Mary-Jane Butler and Rosemary Cole, from Kingsbridge; Richard Neil Frost, from Dartington; Geoffrey Tantum, from South Pool; and Stuart Reid, from Ivybridge, were among those who made the prestigious list this year.

Mary-Jane, who runs the Kingsbridge-based charity Widows and Orphans in Rural Kenya, has been made an MBE for her charitable services. WORK, focusing on education and healthcare, serves the needs of vulnerable adults and children in the Bungoma district of rural Kenya, an area that is roughly equivalent to the size of Devon and Cornwall, where 30 per cent of the population is affected by HIV.

The charity aims to help orphans and widows become self-sufficient, providing health care for some of the poorest people and education for children with special needs.

Mary-Jane said: “I was somewhat surprised to be handed the award. It is an honour... and now I just hope that this will help the charity!”

Rosemary Cole is the director of music of the Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir and the former director of music of Stanborough Chorus in Kingsbridge. Under her directorship, the choir has been invited to sing at a number of venues and events. She was awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to the performing arts in south west England.

Rosemary said: “I feel very honoured and humbled to be awarded the BEM. Music has always been my passion and it’s been a real privilege to work with others to make music to bring pleasure to audiences across Devon, Cornwall and further afield, and to make money for charity.

“Setting up and running a successful choir is a team effort and so I share this award with everyone who has worked so hard alongside me to bring music to others.”

Richard Frost has been made an MBE for his services to mental health. He is an employment specialist with the NHS Trust’s Workways service, leading a team that provides support for people whose mental health affects their ability to stay in work.

He also leads the UK-wide Mindful Employer scheme, which provides information and support for employers in recruiting and retaining staff who experience mental ill health.

Richard said: “I feel deeply honoured and humbled to have been appointed as an MBE.

“It is also a real tribute to the many people I have endeavoured to support over the years, my colleagues at Workways, and the hundreds of employers who have committed themselves to supporting what we do.”

Geoffrey Tantum was knighted in the honours list.

He is recognised for a distinguished record of public service and outstanding contribution to UK/Bahrain relations for a period of over 20 years, consistently defending and promoting joint interests and helping foster a close and valuable relationship between the two kingdoms.

Sir Geoffrey said: “I consider it a great honour.”

In the past, he has also received a CMG, OBE from the Queen, and the Order of the Star of Jordan from the late King Hussain.

Professor Stuart Reid, the chairman of trustees at The Donkey Sanctuary in Ivybridge was made a CBE for his contributions to the veterinary profession and higher education. Stuart has been a trustee of the sanctuary since 1996, and chairman since 2007.

Stuart said: “I am delighted and humbled. It is truly a privilege to have had the opportunity to be part of both the veterinary profession and the university community, and to have worked with colleagues throughout my career who have had a huge commitment with the common good.

“I am very grateful that the importance of animal health, education, and science is being acknowledged in this way.”