Eight champions from our region will receive an MBE in the King's New Year Honours list 2025

Ice Rink Manager Gail Munro will receive an MBE for her services to Stranraer. Credit: Jim Ryder.

Eight champions from Cumbria and southern Scotland will receive an MBE in the King's New Year Honours list 2025.

The announcement has revealed eight MBEs for people from Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.

Among those selected for an MBE are people who dedicate their lives to sport, performing arts, animal welfare and local communities.

Nationally, more than 1,200 people have received honours from across the UK.

Learn more about the individuals who are being honoured by the King for their remarkable achievements.

Cumbria:

  • Roger Philip Glossop MBE, 77, from Windermere, is receiving an MBE for his success in opening up the Old Laundry Theatre, South Lakeland, in 1992. The theatre has hosted almost 4,500 performances for 500,000 visitors.

Roger says he was in "complete shock" when he realised he was receiving an MBE.

He said: "I opened the letter expecting a bill of some sort. It's not something that I was expecting ever."

The 77-year-old attributes his success to his wife Charlotte - they have been together for 47 years.

He added: "There's a huge amount of luck. You have to be lucky, you really do. Especially in the arts as we know it - certainly as long as I've been involved - it's been starved of money and continues to be starved.

"It's almost impossible to mount any production. Costs are so high and they just get out of control. But we carry on in the hope that it'll get better and taking this award is good because it shows somebody else was watching and thinks that it's okay - I'm very pleased really."

  • The Very Revd Mark Christopher Boyling, 77, from Carlisle, has received the honour for his 18 year dedication to Carlisle Cathedral before his retirement in 2022.

He's recognised for his commitment in delivering the multi-million pound Fratry Project. Mr Boyling helped guide the church throughout the pandemic and also kickstarted major learning programmes in the community.

  • Dr Amanda Jean Carson, from Seascale, Cumbria, for her services to agriculture and the protection of rare breeds.

  • Mr John Lee Nixon, Carlisle, from Cumbria, for his dedication to Association football in his local community.

Southern Scotland:

  • Five-time Paralympic medalist Stephen Clegg, 29, from Newcastleton in the Scottish Borders, who won two gold medals in swimming at the Paris Paralympics in 2024.

  • Paralympic gold medalist Nathan Macqueen, 33, from Dumfries, who's viewed as one of the most decorated Scottish archers.

  • Ice Rink Manager Gail Munro, from Stranraer, Wigtownshire, for her services to curling locally to Stranraer.

  • Cafe owner Romano Petrucci, from Stranraer, Wigtownshire, for his services to the community in Stranraer.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...