Chronicle Country New Year’s Honours

Peter Kendall from Eyeworth, the former President of the National Farmers Union has been awarded a knighthood for his services to the agricultural industry in England and Wales.

Andrew Wallis from Henlow will receive an MBE for his services to the commemoration of national heritage and charity while former councillor Carole Ellis from Great Barford has been honoured posthumously for her services to local government and charity with an MBE.

On receiving a knighthood, Peter Kendall said: “I am incredibly proud to receive this honour and to have had the privilege of helping represent and promote British farming, farmers and food production in my time as President of the NFU.

“It’s an industry that is so important to the country and I see this honour in part as recognition of the vital contribution that British farming makes day-in-day-out.

“Whilst I was President of the NFU I saw first-hand the fantastic work and commitment of both members and first-class staff to support and promote our farming industry and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them.

“I hope that the work that I have done – and continue to do – has contributed to the positive image and public support for British farming. I continue to be massively proud to be a farmer.”

Current NFU President Meurig Raymond said the honour was well-deserved as Mr Kendall continues to champion British agriculture and British farmers.

He said: “Peter is and was incredibly proud to be a farmer. He will be regarded in future years as one of the best Presidents the NFU has ever had and I congratulate him on receiving this great honour.”

Meanwhile Andrew Wallis from Henlow will receive an MBE and said: “I have served the sovereign for 40 years so this is a real thrill for me. I was very surprised when I heard about it!

“I work with a lot of guardsmen who do great things and are rewarded so to be put in the same bracket as them is quite something.”

Andrew has spent the last six-and-a-half years delivering the Flanders Field Memorial Garden at the Guards Museum in London (of which he is Curator), which was opened by the Queen in November, with soil to form the garden coming from First World War battlefields in Belgium.

Andrew’s wife Jane said: “We are so proud that Andrew has been awarded an MBE, recognition which he deserves for all of his hard work.

“As well as being the Curator for the Guards Museum in London he is also very involved with a charity for homeless ex-servicemen – Veterans Aid – of which he is Trustee.”

Carole Ellis, a former Bedford mayor who welcomed Nelson Mandela to the town, has also been honoured for her services to local government and charity.

Carole died at the beginning of December following a long illness. She announced in October 2013 she was suffering with a malignant brain tumour.

The popular councillor was also well-known as an influential fundraiser for a range of charities including Headways, the Heart Unit at Bedford Hospital and Willington Riding for the Disabled.

Chief executive of Bedford Borough Council Philip Simpkins said: “This honour is very well-deserved by the late Councillor Ellis and reflects her commitment as a borough councillor and her great work towards the community she served.”

“Those who knew her were aware that she had been unwell for some time but it still came as a very great loss for us all.”