Isle of Wight-born Dame Sheila Hancock among Islanders honoured

Dame Sheila Hancock, 87, will receive a damehood for services to drama and charity.

She is joined on the list by Isle of Wight College deputy principal Lynne Christopher and IW Council assistant director for commissioning for adult social care, Laura Gaudion.

Mrs Christopher, who has received an MBE for Services to Further Education, said: "I feel delighted and honoured to receive this award and would like to pay tribute to the many, many colleagues alongside whom I have worked throughout my time at the college.

Lynne Christopher MBE

"The dedication, support and inspiration provided by Isle of Wight College staff has ensured our students receive a standard of education and training second to none and the many wonderful success stories we hear about every year, from those who have studied with us, make all our efforts truly worthwhile."

Mrs Gaudion has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to social care during the Covid-19 response.

She said: "As a girl who was born and grew up on the Isle of Wight, returning to work for the local authority after completing my time at university was my chance to make a real difference for Island people.

Laura Gaudion BEM

"I live here, my family live here and I am part of this community. My career to date has been about doing the best I can for local people and never more so than during the challenging times Covid has delivered.

"Everyone has a part to play in keeping our Island residents safe and I am humbled to be recognised for the part I play in doing that."

Born in Blackgang, Dame Sheila Hancock began her active on-screen career in 1953, having trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before starting her career in repertory theatre.

She went on to perform in plays and musicals in London, and earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Lead Actress in Play following her Broadway debut in Entertaining Mr Sloane.

She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1974 Birthday Honours and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours.

Away from stage and screen, she is a patron of London HIV charity The Food Chain and worked with London children's charity Kids Company until its dissolution in 2015.

Dame Sheila Hancock

Mrs Hancock has regularly returned to the Isle of Wight in recent years, notably visiting alongside comedian Sandy Toksvig in 2012.

The actress is no stranger to honours, having won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her role in Cabaret in 2007 and being nominated on five other occasions.