Isle of Wight residents recognised in New Year Honours list 2023

Recipients in the New Year Honours List have been awarded for their outstanding contributions and their work in areas including sustained public service, youth service, youth engagement and community work.

Peter Jardine, from Newport, volunteers his time at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and has been recognised for his services to Heritage Railway with an MBE.

Jonathan Gilbey, from Shanklin, has been recognised for his services to the community in Shanklin and will be awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM).

Jonathan Gilbey is a former Shanklin councillor and mayor (Image: James Pilbeam)

The owner of The Paramount Cafe on the High Street, he is also a former councillor and mayor of the town.  

Jon said he is speechless and deeply honoured to be awarded.

He continued: “I had no idea until the email came through, and I thought it was a prank email, so I had to phone up to verify!

“It’s one of those things where you don’t think it will ever happen to you.

“I am totally blown away, totally shocked, and it still hasn’t sunk in!”

Martin Raynor, from Ventnor, is a volunteer coastguard rescue officer and has been recognised for his services to maritime safety, also with a BEM.

Martin Rayner has been a volunteer coastguard rescue officer for over 40 years (Image: MCA)

He is soon retiring from the coastguard and spent 17 years with Island Scouts and 17 years with the Isle of Wight Youth Concert Band.

Martin said: “I’m really honoured. My father was in the service before me, so between us, we have been a part of the coastguard family for around 70 years.”

“I have had a fantastic time in the service, feeling that I have given something back to the community. I certainly wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t enjoy it! 

“My family have supported me throughout, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

• Read more: Coastguard officer retiring after 42 years 'honoured' to be in New Year Honours

Also recognised is former Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police Inspector Kelvin Shipp, who has donated more than 40 years of his life to public service and will receive the King’s Police Medal.

Kelvin at the D-Day 75 event in Portsmouth in 2019 (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary)

The 62-year-old from Southsea has also provided his skills and experience to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the United Nations by joining international policing deployments to Iraq and South Sudan.

Reflecting on this honour, Kelvin said: "I had absolutely no idea I was being nominated for this honour, so to find out about this after my retirement was very humbling. It's a tremendous honour.”