Geraint Thomas tops New Year's Honours list

  • Wales
Credit: PA

Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas tops an incredible year of achievement with an OBE in the New Year's Honours list. This year, he became the first ever Welshman to win the Tour De France and only the third British rider after Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

The 32-year-old said he was 'proud' to be honoured.

Other Welsh recipients include Britain’s most decorated female triathlete Helen Jenkins, who receives an MBE; Matthew Maynard, awarded an MBE for services to charity and sport; and Mike Peters, frontman of band The Alarm, who gets an MBE for voluntary services to cancer care.

Former Welsh Secretary John Redwood MP receives a knighthood, as does Philip Pullman - author of the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, who lived in Gwynedd between the ages of 11 and 20 - a period the writer credits as 'immensely important' in his development.

Musician Mike Peters has survived cancer three times Credit: PA

The New Year’s Honours List 2019 recognises the outstanding achievements of people across the United Kingdom.

In total, 70% of awards in the New Year’s Honours List will go to people who have undertaken outstanding work in or for their local community.

28 year old Shaun Stocker from Wrexham receives a BEM. He suffered catastrophic wounds while serving in Afghanistan in April 2010 at the age of 19. He is now a motivational speaker and he works with the charity British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association where he talks to secondary school students.

Shaun also works at a wing named in his honour for ex-servicemen at Berwyn Prison, Wrexham, helping them to rehabilitate and demonstrate ways to avoid reoffending.

Cave diver Richard Stanton receives the George Medal for gallantry Credit: PA

This List also coincides with the publication of 12 civilian gallantry awards, awarded to those who have demonstrated exceptional bravery - putting themselves in danger to protect others.

The George Medal - the second highest civilian gallantry award - is received by Richard Stanton and John Volanthen of Mid and South Wales Cave Rescue. The pair were part of successful effort to rescue 12 junior footballers and their coach who became trapped in a cave in Thailand.

The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery goes to 14-year-old Joe Rowlands, who saved his father from drowning following a kayaking accident near Lligwy, off the coast of Anglesey in February 2018.

There are a number of awards for police officers, including Chief Superintendent Belinda Jane Davies, South Wales Police, and Inspector Amanda Williams, Gwent Police who each receive the Queen’s Police Medal.

The Queen’s Ambulance Medal is awarded to Gregory Charles Lloyd, Head of Clinical Services, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and Miss Gillian Pleming, Utilisation Manager, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust.

Alison and David Lea-Wilson from Halen Mon, the Anglesey Sea Salt company, receive MBEs for services to business.

Welsh businessman Alan Peterson receives an OBE for services to charitable fundraising (NSPCC Cymru)