Queen honours engineer and village stalwart

JPCT 170614 S14250827x Maplehurst. Birthday honours Dorothy Hatfield. OBE for her services to engineering -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140617-143014001

A woman from Maplehurst and a man from Billingshurst were among those recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours last week.

Patrick Perks, from Billingshurst, has been given a British Empire Medal for his services to the community.

Among his contributions to the community are as founder and former chairman of the Billingshurst Community Partnership (BCP), former chairman of the parish council and a member of the Rotary club and chamber of commerce. He is also a governor at The Weald School.

He said: “I am honoured to receive the BEM for services to the community and give my sincere thanks to many friends and colleagues who have supported me in my endeavours for the community over many years and without whose help and enthusiasm none of these projects could have been achieved.

HOR 090911 Opening of £1M improvements at The Weald. Headteacher Peter Woodman cuts the ribbon accompanied by L to R Patrick Perks, former headteacher Geoffrey Lawes, chairman of governors Dr Graham Parr and former headteacher Peter May. photo by derek martin ENGSNL00120110909133814

He added: “I am overwhelmed by the many messages of congratulation from my friends and family and people with whom I with at Horsham District Council, the Parish Council, Action in Rural Sussex and so many others. All I can say is thanks and it is much appreciated.”

Dorothy Hatfield, 74, a member and adviser for the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) was given an OBE for her services to engineering.

Mrs Hatfield, who is also a member of the Nuthurst Local History Society, said: “You think ‘why me?, all the other people who have done much more amazing things’.

“The whole ethos of the society is that it exists to support and encourage women in engineering while at the same time to encourage girls to think about engineering as a career and understand what it’s all about.”

Former president of the WES Milada Williams nominated Mrs Hatfield. She said: “On behalf of the WES, I would like to express our delight at the award of an OBE for Dorothy Hatfield.

“She is a lifelong member of WES and has a very distinguished career in the aeronautical industry behind her. She achieved recognition as an expert in her field and broke barriers in military engineering environment.

“She has also devoted a considerable amount of time to voluntary work as director, trustee of WES and its president, promoting engineering to girls and supporting women engineers during their careers.”

Nicholas Soames, MP for Mid Sussex, has been awarded a knighthood for political service.