PRESTIGIOUS awards were presented by the IW Lord Lieutenant at the Royal Yacht Squadron on Wednesday (3).

Maj Gen Sir Martin White presented his annual awards at the Isle of Wight Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association event, which was supported by 266 Port Squadron Royal Logistics Corps and 165 Port and Maritime Regiment Royal Logistic Corps.

He first presented the British Empire Medal (BEM) to Scott Watkin, Reginald Barry and Ann Pembroke on behalf of the Queen.

Mr Watkin proved that having a learning disability should not be a barrier to making a way in life, and leads by example, lecturing to learning disability professionals. At 36 he was the youngest in the country to get the BEM in the New Year honours list.

Mr Barry is a stalwart of the local community and has represented Nettlestone and Seaview on the IW Council since 1993.

Mrs Pembroke was awarded the BEM for services to the cultural history of the City of London.

The Lord Lieutenant’s certificates for meritorious service were next awarded. This gives public recognition to those members of the reserve and cadet forces whose efforts are not recognised by the Honours Lists.

These went to Maj Julie Crane of Cowes Enterprise College Combined Cadet Force, Fl Lt Stuart Sale of Ryde School Combined Cadet Force, Arthur Niblett of 510 Ryde Unit Sea Cadet Corps and Maj David Maidment of South East Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association.

The Best Reservist Award was awarded to the reservists considered to have achieved the most or made the greatest contribution during the year, and these went to WO Steve Williams, L Cpl Jane Day and L Cpl Gemma Whitchurch.

The St John Ambulance service award went to Anthony Roberts (12 years).

The Red Cross long service award went to Jill Blanchard (40 years).

The SSAFA Forces long service certificate was awarded to Ruth Weatherly-Emberson (five years), Ian Holder (five years), Martin Lovell (five years), Janet McNeal (ten years), and Jane Askham (ten years).

The Hampshire Constabulary exemplary service awards went to Special PC Jennette Wherry (four years) and David Gledhill (44 years).

The 1st Clasp to the Cadet Forces' Medal was presented to Sgt Maj instructor Richard Kent of the Hampshire and IW Army Cadet Force.

The 2nd Clasp to the Cadet Forces' Medal was presented to Maj Anthony Groves, also of the Hampshire and IW Army Cadet Force.

Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet of the Year Award was awarded to three cadets, for outstanding service to their cadet movement.

These were Cadet WO Oliver Coulson of Ryde School Combined Cadet Force, Able Cadet Morgan Tombleson of Cowes Unit Sea Cadet Corps, and Cadet L Cpl Trinity Wiltshire, of 2 Ryde Troop, Hampshire and IW Army Cadet Force.