Wild swimmer among those honoured in list

NEW YEAR HONOURS ARE FIRST OF KING CHARLES'S REIGN

- PAUL GREAVES

A MARINE biologist, a passionate wild swimming campaigner and a bus firm's managing director are among the city figures who have been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

A total of 21 people from Devon have been recognised for their outstanding public service.

Among them is Dr Keith Hiscock, a marine biologist. He receives an MBE for services to Marine Conservation. Keith has been at the forefront of marine conservation for more than 50 years.

An associate fellow of the Marine Biological Association (MBA) in Plymouth, he also headed up the Marine Nature Conservation Review of Great Britain from 1987 to 1998.

Also honoured is Pauline Barker, who is the organiser and founder of Devon and Cornwall Wild Swimming, a group which was set up in 2010 to promote open water swimming.

Pauline has achieved a long list of significant swims including a 21-mile, two-way swim of Lake Windermere in 2014 and four English Channel relays between 2013 and 2016. She has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to swimming in the South West.

Also recognised with an MBE is Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Go South West, for services to Transport and to the Community in Plymouth.

Exeter Chiefs chairman and chief executive Tony Rowe is the most recognisable name on the list. He has been made CBE for services to Rugby Union Football and to the Community in Exeter. A prominent figure in sport and business, he made his name establishing Exeterbased SW Comms and has been the driving force behind the Chiefs for over 20 years.