THE former chief executive of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT() has admitted his surprise at being named a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Awards.

Colin Preston lives in Maesbrook, joined two others from around Oswestry in receiving MBEs – charity worker Sonya Jones and Jane Barker, who created a horse riding centre for disabled people.

Also honoured was a housekeeper eighteenth century Llanfyllin landmark, Bryngwyn Hall, as Christine Horton was included in the list for services to heritage and charity in Wales.

Colin retired as chief executive in October 2020 but was recognised in King Charles III’s first birthday honours list for his work at SWT.

“Living where we live provides no excuses for not being interested in wildlife,” he said.

“I got a letter at the start of May, thereabouts, and a follow-up phone call three or four weeks ago confirming all the details.

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“It was a genuine surprise – part of you feels a bit of fraud to be honest.

“I do a lot of voluntary work, although I’m now retired, and worked all sorts of people who have done brilliant stuff and I felt I was working with great people who for many years did equally great stuff.

“I was no different than anyone else.

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“I’d like to think I’ve been honoured for championing the natural world in the Marches and Shropshire.

“We live in pressurised times in terms of the environment – most people would say they care but there’s a lot of things that need to be done differently.

“I’m hoping I’m getting people to think about how they can make space for nature.

“You not allowed to tell people – you get put in the Tower of London. But I feel a bit sheepish so I’ll play it by the book.”

Sonya Jones is from Whittington and works for a charity called With You, and received her MBE for tackling child exploitation within crime.

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She said: “I’m still trying to take it all in.

“I’ve known since the start of May when the letter came and my reaction was just one of shock and being overwhelmed – I’m humbled and delighted.

“But it’s a bit of a shock to receive it.

“I work for the charity With You which works with Shropshire Recovery Partnership, and have done for eight years.

“But I’ve been working in this area for more than 20 years.

“To be honoured for doing a job I love is incredible and it’s as much for the team I work with and the great work they do with vulnerable children around this specific type of child abuse.

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“They’re modern slaves but they are not considered that and it is why I am trying to put together a national strategy.

“I will be in North Yorkshire when it comes out and we’ve booked a nice restaurant with my family to celebrate.”

Jane Barker founded the Perry Riding for the Disabled Group in 1995 near Baschurch and has also been given an MBE.  

Though the centre has now moved to Much Wenlock, she said the heart of it was in the village for 25 years and thanked all those who helped her.

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She said: “It was outdoors all the time and we used to get rained off which was hopeless so we raised the money and built the new site in Much Wenlock.

“But it started in Baschurch – it was 25 years’ worth of growing bigger and bigger.

“It’s not going to affect me – I’m not going to put after my name on letters to my friends.

“It’s a team medal and not just me who got it all done but also an awful lot of people who aren’t getting a medal.

“There’s always that in the back of your mind – you never do it on your own but with hundreds of people.

“I’m just going to have a normal weekend.”