A FORMER councillor who represented Abersychan for 26 years, a business woman with more than 40 years experience in retail, a target shooter who represented Wales and Team GB, and the CEO of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board were among those from Torfaen named in the Queen's birthday honours list.
Former target shooter John Dallimore, of Croesyceiliog, has been awarded an MBE for services to target shooting.
The 73-year-old represented Wales and Great Britain and later spent 30 years managing the Wales team.
(John Dallimore has been awarded an MBE for services to target shooting. Picture: John Dallimore)
“It was a surprise and a privilege to be considered for this award,” he said.
“I’d especially like to thank my family – my wife Margaret, son Garan, daughter Ceri and grandson Tobias.
“I’m looking forward to going and picking up my award. I’m having trouble deciding who to take with me.”
Mr Dallimore is currently the high-performance manager for the Welsh Target Shooting Federation.
His determination and drive was credited in the development of the Sports Wales National Centre in Cardiff.
“I work at the Sports Wales National Centre at Sophia Gardens, where we have the best facilities in the world,” he said.
“Last year we won five medals at the Commonwealth Games in Australia – 20 percent of the Welsh team’s medals.
“I started a club in Torfaen about 30 years ago, and it is now one of the most successful clubs in Wales.”
Elsewhere in Torfaen, Jean Church, a businesswoman from Abersychan, was awarded an MBE for services to business.
The 69-year-old worked for more than 40 years in retail, and since retiring has continued to volunteer in a coaching and mentoring capacity.
(Jean Church was awarded an MBE for services to business. Picture: Jean Church.)
She said that she was looking forward to collecting her award.
“I’m humbled to be nominated,” she said. “I’m very much looking forward to it.”
Mrs Church will be following in the footsteps of her grandfather, who was also honoured.
“In the late 1940s, my grandfather Thomas Lewis was recognised for his work at the Royal Ordinance Factory in Glascoed. I’m really proud to be following in his footsteps as he was well respected in the business world.”
Mrs Church is currently a member of the Torfaen Strategic Economic Forum and executive chairwoman of Welsh Women mean Business, and has previously been the chairwoman of the Institute of Directors (IoD) in Wales.
“I have been privileged to work with some fantastic people who are very innovative,” she said.
Mrs Church has also been an ambassador for the Teenage Cancer Trust for the past 18 months, where she has worked with the charity to boost its fundraising potential with corporate supporters.
“It has been amazing to give something back in my role as an ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust,” she said. “Every family has been touched by cancer in some way, and the way that it affects people young people aged 13 to 24 is devastating.”
Another to make the list is former Torfaen councillor Gwyneira Clark, who has been awarded an MBE for services to local government, housing and the community..
Mrs Clark was a ward councillor for Abersychan between 1991 and 2017.
(Former Torfaen councillor Gwyneira Clark has been awarded an MBE for services to Local Government, Housing and the community in Garndiffaith. Picture: Gwyneira Clark.)
“It’s amazing,” she said. “I can’t believe it. I feel so honoured and humbled.
“Without this community, I wouldn’t be in this position and I have dedicated my life to this community.
“When I was elected, it was becoming a no go area.
“The police station had been firebombed twice and it had burned down with officers in the building.
“It was making people’s lives a misery.
“I can’t describe how tough it was. I was out there all the time with my constituents as I felt I had to be strong and be seen for them.”
Mrs Clark organised a public meeting where about 400 residents showed up, and after the meeting, she formed a small residents group and with the assistance of the police and council, the area began to improve.
“It has been a pleasure to represent them,” she added.
(Aneurin Bevan University Health Board chief executive Judith Paget.)
The chief executive office of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Judith Paget, of Cwmbran, has also been honoured. She was awarded a CBE for services to healthcare management and delivery in Wales.
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