Samaritans volunteer made MBE in King's honours

A former magistrate and long-serving Samaritans volunteer has been made an MBE in the King's New Year Honours list.

Judith Boichot, from Weymouth, retired as a Dorset Magistrate in October 2019 after 34 years of service.

She has been a Samaritan for 25 years, and has raised thousands for various charities by running marathons and half marathons.

Other Dorset residents to receive honours include a bus company managing director, a children's nursery founder and a retired senior nurse.

Ms Boichot, recognised for her services to the community in Dorset, has spent 40 years helping multiple charities and organisations.

Since retiring from the bench, she has been a member of the justice service referral panel, which helps young offenders improve their behaviour.

She said: "I was totally shocked when I first received the news, and I still haven't fully taken it in.

"My initial thought was, 'Why me?'

"I'm not the sort of person who gets awards like this."

Andrew Wickham, from Sturminster Marshall, has also been made an MBE.

The managing director of Go South Coast, which operates Morebus and Damory bus services in Dorset, has been recognised for his services to the bus industry.

During his time at the helm, he has overseen a 73% increase in passenger journeys to 69 million a year, and the creation of 419 jobs.

Mr Wickham said he had been "fortunate enough to work with some excellent and forward-thinking operators" where councils and others shared his vision.

He said: "Above all, my own success has been underpinned by the skill and perseverance of my colleagues - past and present. I would like to thank them for the support and dedication they have shown me over the course of my career."

Elsewhere in the county, retired nursing director Zoe Packman, from Poole, has been made an MBE for her services to nursing.

The award was for her "outstanding contribution to healthcare leadership and of the nursing profession as well as to the care of the public" while at Kings Hospital and at London Ambulance, where she previously held senior nursing roles.

She described it as a "great privilege", adding: "I am grateful to all those who have mentored, supported and guided me throughout my career."

Janet MacGregor, also from Poole, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to early years.

The children's nursery founder supported refugee children from Afghanistan and "created an embracing environment where children, from a range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, feel welcome and can experience a sense of belonging", the Cabinet Office said.

Audrey Hayter, from Witchampton, also received a BEM for services to the community in Wimborne.

She organised successful Queen's Silver and Golden Jubilee street parties in 1977 and 2012, and a Queen's Platinum Big Breakfast street party in 2022 for more than 200 villagers.

The 74-year-old said the honour was "very special".

"There are lots of people this is for, not just me. It was just to see everyone joining in and getting together."

Ms Hayter is also the founder of a local All Stars Cricket club for young people, raises funds for her local sports club, and is a Beaver leader.

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