Bastions of community and sport receive top honours

Rundle Dean, 74, who also worked as a postman, was yesterday presented with the honour which was re-introduced this year for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

During deliveries Mr Dean, known locally as Mr Brotherton after his home village near Selby, would call on elderly people to collect and deliver their shopping and would take people for medical appointments. He also picks up and drops off severely disabled people who would otherwise be housebound.

The pensioner was presented with the honour for community services in Brotherton by the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe, at Bowcliffe Hall, Bramham.

Also receiving BEMs were Colin Handforth, 80, of Crigglestone, Wakefield, for services to amateur rugby league, and Gillian Nobbs, 63, of Bardsey, Leeds, for services to gymnastics.

Mrs Nobbs’s name is synonymous with gymnastics across Yorkshire and the British gymnastics circuit, coaching and judging at all levels. Despite a recent hip replacement, she continues to support the sport.

Keith Orrell, 77, was presented with the MBE for services to the community of Wrenthorpe.