News / Marvin Rees
Marvin Rees awarded OBE in New Year Honours List
Bristol’s mayor has been awarded an OBE for services to local government in the New Year Honours List.
Marvin Rees said that he was “deeply honoured” to receive the honour.
Rees is listed as being from Gloucestershire in the full list of recipients as he now lives in South Glos rather than Bristol; with other local recipients including Better Food founder Phil Haughton receiving an MBE for services to sustainable food initiatives and to the community of Bristol.
is needed now More than ever
Rees said: “I’m deeply honoured to have been awarded an OBE for services to local government by His Majesty King Charles III.
“This would not have been possible without the support of my family, my team, and many other fellow Bristolians over a number of years.
“Together, we have delivered a lot. Since 2016, to give just two examples, Bristol has built over 12,500 new homes to tackle the housing crisis and secured the world-first Bristol City Leap deal, which plans £630m of clean energy investment by 2028.
“In my final four months as mayor of my home city, our focus remains on delivering for Bristol as we continue building a City of Hope, where nobody is left behind.”
Better Food founder Phil Haughton has been awarded an MBE – photo: Martin Booth
Haughton, who lives in Winford, said: “When I think about what has always got me out of bed, it’s really simple. Justice. I hold a huge passion to see justice done, for our soil, our farmers, our children and all communities.
“I’m delighted to receive this MBE. I have so much gratitude for our farmers, the Better Food team and our customers for supporting me on this journey of championing sustainable food in Bristol and beyond.
“I’ve been inspired by many people along the way and it’s an honour to be recognised for the work that I’m so passionate about.”
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Read more: Better Food opens fourth Bristol shop
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Alongside Rees and Haughton, other awards include a BEM for include Pamela Scull from Brentry for services to dance.
Scull ran the prestigious Westbury Park Dance Centre and built the Wingfield School of Ballet & Dance from scratch in her own name for more than 40 years. She was also the joint founder and principal of the former Dance Place at the Berkeley Centre in Clifton.
Dr Teame Mebrahtu has been awarded an OBE for services to education, refugees and the Bristol community.
Dr Mebrahtu sought asylum in England from Eritrea, and later became Bristol’s first black magistrate.
Timothy Hewer of Little Stoke has been awarded a BEM for services to beekeeping.
He is an active committee member of the Bristol branch of Avon Beekeepers Association and is registered with the British Beekeepers Association as the area point of contact should anyone have a swarm in need of relocating, collecting more than 40 over the last four years alone.
Keith Walton of Nailsea has been awarded an MBE for services to urban rail transport in Bristol.
Walton was the driving force behind the instigation of Severnside Community Rail Partnership and has had a particular focus on the previously neglected Severn Beach line which has resulted in huge growth in passenger numbers.
Main photo: Commonwealth
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