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| Wales honours: MP Roger Williams 'humbled' by CBE | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| An MP and founder member of the former Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been awarded a CBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list. | |
| Roger Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, said he was surprised and humbled by the honour. | Roger Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, said he was surprised and humbled by the honour. |
| Also honoured in mid Wales are former Welshpool magistrate Peter England and Grenville Ham, founder of the Green Valleys energy project. | Also honoured in mid Wales are former Welshpool magistrate Peter England and Grenville Ham, founder of the Green Valleys energy project. |
| Both receive the British Empire Medal (BEM). | Both receive the British Empire Medal (BEM). |
| Mr Williams was honoured for political and public service. | Mr Williams was honoured for political and public service. |
| Born in Crickhowell, he was first elected as Brecon and Radnorshire MP in 2001. | Born in Crickhowell, he was first elected as Brecon and Radnorshire MP in 2001. |
| Before that he was a farmer, and had been a Powys county councillor for two decades representing Talgarth, near Brecon. | Before that he was a farmer, and had been a Powys county councillor for two decades representing Talgarth, near Brecon. |
| The Cambridge graduate has also served as a chairman of the National Farmers' Union's Brecon and Radnorshire branch, and in 1990 he became chairman of Brecon Beacons National Park. | The Cambridge graduate has also served as a chairman of the National Farmers' Union's Brecon and Radnorshire branch, and in 1990 he became chairman of Brecon Beacons National Park. |
| He also sat on the now defunct Development Board for Rural Wales from 1991 to 1999. | He also sat on the now defunct Development Board for Rural Wales from 1991 to 1999. |
| "I'm deeply honoured to receive this honour, but very surprised," said Mr Williams. | "I'm deeply honoured to receive this honour, but very surprised," said Mr Williams. |
| "I make a real effort never to be surprised by things in public life, but this was a huge surprise. | "I make a real effort never to be surprised by things in public life, but this was a huge surprise. |
| "It makes me feel very humble too because I think of all the people who make a huge contribution in my constituency whether they be in the public, private or voluntary sector. | "It makes me feel very humble too because I think of all the people who make a huge contribution in my constituency whether they be in the public, private or voluntary sector. |
| "Sometimes these people are completely overlooked and they are deserving of awards, so I accept this on their behalf as much as anything." | "Sometimes these people are completely overlooked and they are deserving of awards, so I accept this on their behalf as much as anything." |
| Mr Williams left the Labour Party to join the newly formed SDP in 1981 and became one of its first councillors in Britain. | Mr Williams left the Labour Party to join the newly formed SDP in 1981 and became one of its first councillors in Britain. |
| The SDP had been founded by four senior Labour politicians dubbed the "Gang of Four" - Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams. | The SDP had been founded by four senior Labour politicians dubbed the "Gang of Four" - Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams. |
| 'Political greats' | 'Political greats' |
| "I was one of the founder members of the party," Mr Williams added. | "I was one of the founder members of the party," Mr Williams added. |
| "I liked their fresh approach and it was led by some political greats. Shirley Williams and Roy Jenkins were political heroes of mine." | "I liked their fresh approach and it was led by some political greats. Shirley Williams and Roy Jenkins were political heroes of mine." |
| The SDP merged with the Liberal Party in 1988 to form the Liberal Democrats. | The SDP merged with the Liberal Party in 1988 to form the Liberal Democrats. |
| Other political honours include OBEs for Rodney Berman, former Lib Dem leader of Cardiff council and Melvyn Nott, current Labour leader of Bridgend council. | Other political honours include OBEs for Rodney Berman, former Lib Dem leader of Cardiff council and Melvyn Nott, current Labour leader of Bridgend council. |
| Also honoured by the Queen is former magistrate Peter England, who is recognised with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in Welshpool. | Also honoured by the Queen is former magistrate Peter England, who is recognised with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in Welshpool. |
| Grenville Ham also receives a BEM for services to renewable energy in Wales. | Grenville Ham also receives a BEM for services to renewable energy in Wales. |
| Mr Ham is the founder of Green Valleys project which supports the growth of renewable energy generation in the Brecon Beacons. | Mr Ham is the founder of Green Valleys project which supports the growth of renewable energy generation in the Brecon Beacons. |
| The Beacons project, made up of 21 small communities, develops micro-hydroelectric schemes. | The Beacons project, made up of 21 small communities, develops micro-hydroelectric schemes. |
| Mr Ham has said the idea for the project was dreamed up over a pint in a pub. | Mr Ham has said the idea for the project was dreamed up over a pint in a pub. |