Local people of distinction are recognised at the start of 2002 for their work in years past on behalf of us all.

Police medal for head of murder hunt

A SENIOR detective who helped lead the hunt for serial killer Philip Smith has been awarded the Queen's Police Medal.

Det Supt Mel Shore was at the forefront of the investigation which tracked down the killer of Rosemary Corcoran, whose body was found battered near Droitwich.

She was discovered by the landlord of the Robin Hood pub, at Rashwood, as he walked his dog in a quiet country lane on Remembrance Sunday 2000.

The 25-year-old mother-of-three had been run over, beaten, and kicked so viciously that her teeth had come out and her blood was spread over the lane.

A massive joint police hunt, codenamed Operation Green, was launched by West Midlands and West Mercia police, involving as many as 250 officers.

Smith was arrested and went on trial in July this year, charged with the murder not only of Miss Corcoran, but also of Jodie Hyde, and mother-of-six Carol Jordan.

He denied the charges, but changed his plea after two weeks of the trial.

Officer's delight after 33 years

A FORMER high-ranking West Mercia police officer has been knighted in the New Year's honours.

Tony Burden, who is Chief Constable of South Wales police, has been awarded the honour for services to the police.

The father-of-three, who lives in Droitwich, was "delighted and honoured" by the news.

Sir Tony, who is the immediate past president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, began his career 33 years ago.

He spent 20 years in the Wiltshire Constabulary, where he was Det Chief Supt in charge of CID.

The officer, who was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 1995, was formerly Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constable at West Mercia, and was appointed head of the South Wales force in 1996.

South Wales police were congratulated in 2000 for their outstanding performance in having the second largest reduction in crime in England and Wales, a performance Sir Tony put down to officers' hard work and determination.

During his career, he has had responsibility for race and community relation issues, equality, and several operational matters dealing with police use of firearms and firearms licensing.

He has also implemented procedures to sent UK police to take part in United Nations peacekeeping duties abroad.

Judge is known for child abuse inquiry

A DISTINGUISHED Herefordshire judge has been made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.

Welsh-born Sir Ronald Gough Waterhouse, who was knighted in 1978, was a Judge of the High Court of Justice Family Division from 1978-88, and of the Queen's Bench Division from 1988-96.

The 75-year-old was called to the bar at Middle Temple in 1952 and, among his many roles during a long legal career, was presiding judge on the Wales and Chester Circuit from 1980-84, and a judge on the Employment Appeal Tribunal between 1979-87.

Sir Ronald, who lives in Ross-on-Wye, is best known for chairing the public inquiry into child abuse in North Wales children's homes from 1997-98, which produced one of the most valuable documents for social change in recent years.

He has been described as forging a brilliant career with a strong element of concern with social issues.

Face linked with countless projects

SIR Michael Perry is a man who by his own admission is "not the retiring type".

The 67-year-old, who has been made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, has just stood down after six years as chairman of the Senior Salaries Review Body - the group which sets pay levels for MPs, the judiciary and senior civil servants.

But the father-of-three is still chairman of Centrica, and has a finger in a host of other pies - both in Worcestershire, where he has had a home at Alfrick, near Worcester, for 20 years, and in London.

"I don't think I'm the retiring type," says Sir Michael. "I'm very much involved with the council of the Alice Ottley School.

"I'm also involved with the Dyson Perrins Museum and seeking to build the new Acorns Children's Hospice. We're still raising money."

In London Sir Michael, who was knighted in 1994, has been connected with the Shakespeare Globe Trust, which built and runs the Capital's theatre-in-the-round, since its inception in the early 1980s.

Sir Michael began his career as a trainee with Lever Brothers in 1957, and a 40-year career with Unilever took him round the globe.

He was Unilever's chairman for five years, during which time he had to take the flak for one of its biggest marketing disasters - Persil Power and the rotting underwear.

Controversial pioneering prof knighted

AN eminent Knightwick professor has been knighted in recognition of his hard work in cancer research in the Queen's New Year's honours list.

Professor David Kerr has been made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, to recognise his services to cancer research.

Prof Kerr was, until recently, the Professor of Cancer Research at the internationally-renowned Institute for Cancer Studies at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Two months ago, he moved to the University of Oxford to become a Rhodes Professor of Therapeutics and Cancer Medicine, and is Professor Elect to the department of Clinical Pharmacology.

Prof Kerr has become one of the leading lights in cancer medicine.

He has voiced his views on controversial subjects including the 'postcode lottery' of cancer services, and has urged doctors to become more pro-active against smoking.

He is also Editor-in-chief of the leading journal Annals of Oncology.

Rewarded for working life

AN Offenham man has been named in the Queen's New Year's Honours list for his services to the telecommunications industry.

David Jackson was awarded an OBE in recognition of his work.

Stalwart celebrates with pledge for YFC's future

LIONEL Hill has been awarded an MBE for his hard work and dedication to the Young Farmers movement.

Mr Hill received the award after spending almost 50 years heavily involved in the movement in Worcestershire and across the county.

He is a past president of Worcestershire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs and is currently president of the West Midlands Area of Young Farmers Clubs, as well as being one of six national deputy presidents.

The 64-year-old grandfather is also the chairman of trustees for Worcestershire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs Building project, which has seen the creation of a county headquarters in Ombersley.

Mr Hill, a willow and cattle farmer at Feckenham, said his one aim within the movement was making sure young people have fun and forge new friendships.

Members meet up once a week for sports competitions, discos, and fun activities.

"The foot-and-mouth crisis took an absolutely disastrous toll on YFC and it will take a lot of hard work to get it back on track after every club was closed down for several months," he said.

"We're determined to see it thriving again and become the fantastic organisation it was before.

"This MBE isn't just for me, it's for everyone involved in the movement, members past and present, and it is great recognition for everyone who has put so much into it."