A WEST Somerset man is among those to be recognised in the list of New Year’s Honours published today.

David Scott, of Williton, receives a British Empire Medal (BEM) and is among fewer than a dozen people across Somerset to be honoured.

Mr Scott, who lives in Townsend, was recognised for his services to countryside conservation and to heritage.

Mr Scott said: “I am both pleased and grateful to receive this honour.

“This is largely in recognition of 40 years’ service with the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) as working party/project officer.

“This involved organising and leading practical conservation, access, and heritage tasks in various parts of the Cotswolds.”

Since 2017, Mr Scott has continued his work in conservation and heritage as a volunteer with the Quantock Hills AONB and the West Somerset Railway.

Among other honours was an MBE for the county’s long-serving public libraries manager Sue Crowley.

Mrs Crowley’s contribution to public library services began as a A-Level student when she volunteered to help in her local library.

She left Somerset to complete a degree in librarianship but returned in 1990, sicn when she has worked in ‘probably every part of the libraries service’ before taking the lead role in 2012.

Mrs Crowley said: “Libraries are a powerful resource that are often underestimated.

“Talk with any member of staff and they will be able to share stories about how a visit to the library has helped make a difference to people’s lives, sometimes in very practical ways, such as helping to find a job, sometimes in less obvious ways by providing a place of safety, or even refuge.

“I feel I am accepting this award on behalf of all those who have worked and who will continue to work in our libraries ensuring they remain relevant, welcoming and fun places.

“They help us make sense of what is an increasingly divisive and chaotic world and as I work towards my own retirement in a few months’ time I will look forward to continuing to visit and use libraries once again as a very happy library user.”