A HOST of people from across the News Shopper area have been included in the New Year’s honours list.
Among them is Sidcup resident and London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson, whose turbulent 2010 included a number of strikes by disgruntled fire fighters.
The father-of-three said: “This honour represents everything good about my 31 years service at what I consider to be the best fire brigade in the world. I’d like to dedicate it to my family, and the hard work and dedication of London firefighters and all Brigade staff.”
Mr Dobson has 31 years firefighting experience - becoming London Fire Commissioner in 2007 after working his way through the ranks since joining the brigade in 1979.
Also among those listed this year is Lee resident Arthur Torrington will receive a CBE for services to black British heritage.
Mr Torrington set up the Equiano Society in 1996 to publicise and celebrate the life and work of Olaudah Equiano - a former slave who went on to campaign against the trade.
Catford’s Pat Fordham, who led the development of new social housing through the Phoenix Community Housing Association, will receive an MBE for services to Lewisham.
Phoenix was set up in 2007 and was the first organisation of its kind in London to be collectively owned by its residents.
Projects she has helped deliver include Bellingham Green, a park with a multi sports ball court that was previously derelict, and Bellingham Community Nursery, one of the first participants of Sure Start.
She said: “It is a real privilege to have been nominated.
“I’ve worked with some great people over the years who taught me my craft, including tenant activists and Lewisham Council.
Sadly, some of them are no longer with us, and I’d also like to accept this honour on behalf of all those from whom I’ve learned.
“Our community includes some of the most deprived but also vibrant in the local region with over 100 languages spoken. It has been a real pleasure to see our areas develop and become a positive environment for people to live and raise their families”. 
Also receiving a CBE is theatre director Howard Davies for services to Drama. Mr Davies, who lives in Forest Hill, has worked at the Almeida theatre, the National, the West End and on Broadway.
He has a string of awards to his names including two Laurence Olivier Theatre Awards for best director.
For services to the rail industry, Greenwich resident and managing director of London Rail Ian Brown will receive a CBE.
Director Andrea Arnold, originally from Dartford but now living in Greenwich, gets an OBE for her services to the film industry.
Ms Arnold has directed a number of hard-hitting films including the 2006 Red Road set on a Glasgow estate and 2009’s Fish Tank.
She is currently working on a new version of Wuthering Heights.
CBEs
Ian Brown, Greenwich, managing director of London Rail, for services to the rail industry.
Howard Davies, Forest Hill, director, for services to drama.
Ron Dobson, Sidcup, Fire Commissioner at the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, for services to local government.
Ali Hadawi, West Wickham, principal of Southend Adult Community College, for services to vocational education in Iraq and to further education.
Ronald Harker, New Cross, chief executive of Citizens' Advice, for services to the voluntary sector.
Peter Head, Beckenham, director, for services to civil engineering and to the environment.
Simon Norris, Blackheath, deputy director of Central Policy, HM Revenue and Customs.
Arthur Torrington, Lee, co-founder of Equiano Society, for services to Black British Heritage.
OBEs
Andrea Arnold, Greenwich, director, for services to the film industry.
Stephen Dunne, Blackheath, Ministry of Defence.
Stephen Hale, Bromley, director of Green Alliance, for services to the environment.
Dr Allison Streetly, Lee, national director, NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme, for services to healthcare.
Leslie Tippin, Bromley, Ministry of Defence.
David Whitehead, Lee, director of British Ports Association, for services to the ports industry.
MBEs
Dr Tariq Abbasi, Bexleyheath, director of Greenwich Islamic Centre, for services to community cohesion in Greenwich and Bexley.
Andreas Andreou, Bromley, executive assistant, Universities and Skills Group, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Sally Bishop, Sidcup, private secretary, Research and Development Directorate, Department of Health.
Patricia Fordham, Catford, Chairwoman Phoenix Community Housing, for services to the community in Lewisham.
Diana Jones, Lewisham, for services to carers in Lewisham.
Professor Susheila Nasta, Greenwich, founder and editor of Wasafiri, for services to black and Asian literature.
Deborah Neal, Bromley, archives officer, Knowledge and Information Management, Cabinet Office.
Ms Anne Patricia Novis, Lee, for services to disabled people in London.
Terry Pauley, Beckenham, business improvement and support process manager, Local Taxation, HM Revenue and Customs.
Jane Pugh, Greenwich, governance officer, London School of Economics and Political Science, for services to higher education.
Eric Sutherns, Bexley, bridge master at Tower Bridge, for services to the City of London Corporation.
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