New Year honours for 1066 Country stalwarts

Residents in 1066 Country are named in this year’s New Year Honours list.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Dec 2015, 07:10 BST
File picture: Energise Sussex Coast at the Glenleigh Park Primary Academy SUS-150325-170643001File picture: Energise Sussex Coast at the Glenleigh Park Primary Academy SUS-150325-170643001
File picture: Energise Sussex Coast at the Glenleigh Park Primary Academy SUS-150325-170643001

Richard Wentworth Watson, from St Leonards, founder and director of Energise Sussex Coast, has been awarded an OBE for services to the community in Sussex.

Energise Sussex Coast is a social enterprise set up with the aim of tackling fuel poverty in Hastings, Rye and Rother through ‘the promotion of energy efficiency programmes and renewable energy generation’.

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Margaret Southworth, from Battle has been awarded an MBE for services to education.

She is chairman of governors of The SABDEN Multi Academy Trust.

SABDEN stands for Social and Behavioural Difficulties, Emotional Nurture and the trust runs New Horizons School in St Leonards.

The trust also runs St Mary’s School, Heathfield, Cuckmere House, Horizons School, Lansdowne Secure Unit and College Central.

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East Sussex county councillor Ruth O’Keeffe has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List 2016 for services to the community in Lewes.

After hearing the news, Cllr O’Keeffe said: “I just can’t believe it’s real.

“It’s such an honour and so amazing to have this recognition.

“I would do the job without it [the recognition] because I love it, but this is wonderful as a thank you.

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“I wouldn’t have been able to do what I do without my four children.

“They came along to all sorts of events with me when they were younger, and looked after each other. The support of all my family and friends has been superb.”

Ruth became a town councillor in 1999, a district councillor in 2003 and a county councillor in 2005.

She is also a member of the East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC).

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Related topics:MBEResidentsEast Sussex