Local Residents Appear in New Year Honours List

Torin Douglas awarded for services to the Chiswick community

Local people are well represented in the New Year Honours list with Torin Douglas and Karen Liebreich getting MBEs and Mrs Joshi Daksha being made a made a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire.

Torin's award was specifically for services to the community in Chiswick. The BBC media correspondent is the driving force behind the annual Bedford Park Festival and also has been instrumental in the development of the Chiswick Book festival.

He said, "I was astonished but totally delighted. It's a recognition that Chiswick really has become a stronger community in recent years, putting on more arts and charity events with the help of dozens of volunteers, performers and local businesses. I hope people feel it has become a better place to live."

Author Karen Liebreich told us that she was "'pretty chuffed" at receiving the award which was given for services to education and horticulture. She helped bring the Chiswick House Kitchen Garden back to life as a leading member of the Chiswick House Kitchen Garden Association and has since been involved in a number of community based horticultural projects in the area.

She has published five books and one of them, 'Letter in a Bottle' was recently dramatised on Radio 4.

The Guardian's theatre critic, Michael Billington, who lives locally was awarded an OBE for services to theatre.

The Guardian's theatre critic since 1971 said: "I believe it is recognition not of me but of the need for critics and the continuity of criticism."

Mrs Daksha Joshi, who runs a local post office, was made a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire for services to the community in Strand on the Green.

Robert Colvill, Chairman of the Strand on the Green Association said, "Mrs Daksha Joshi goes far beyond the call of duty and is a major pivotal figure in the neighbourhood. She is much loved and respected by all who know her and the little Post Office she runs is truly the centre of our community."

The same award was given to Brentford based estate agent Julia Quilliam.

December 31, 2012