New Year Honours: Praise for the 'normal people' who get Britain ticking

Local heroes

One is a railway worker who has been known to lend walletless commuters their fares. Another has battled for recognition of the historical importance of stationary engines. And then there is the man who has dedicated himself to the promotion of Britain's pepper industry.

Alongside the celebrities who dominate the honours are scores of "normal people" whose endeavours keep Britain ticking over. Judith Biggs, who is a "host" at Warwick Parkway station, is to receive a British Empire Medal. Mrs Biggs, 60, is renowned among customers for services above and beyond the call of duty, which have included driving passengers who missed their train to the next stop in her car.

Other unsung heroes include Gary Taylor, an Essex horticulturist who is appointed MBE for pioneering the cultivation of sweet peppers in the UK.

He is joined by David Edgington from Westbury, Wiltshire, who is created OBE for more than three decades of work to preserve and sing the praises of fixed engines.

Further reading:

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