Isle of Man residents recognised in King's New Year's Honours List

Friday, 29 December 2023 22:30

Awards consist of a CBE, MBE's and a BEM

Government House has announced five Isle of Man residents have been recognised in His Majesty King Charles III, our Lord of Mann's New Year's Honours List.

The awards are to recognise 'outstanding achievements' of people across the United Kingdom and Crown Dependencies.

Mrs Diana Parkes CBE

For services to vulnerable children suffering from domestic abuse and domestic homicide, Mrs Parkes is being awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

In 2014, she co-founded the Joanna Simpson Foundation, after the brutal killing of Ms Simpson by her estranged husband in 2010.

This year, Diana and Hetti Barkworth-Nanton – who co-founded the foundation alongside Mrs Parkes – campaigned successfully for the UK Justice Secretary to block Brown’s early release.

Mrs Parkes says she’s ‘incredibly privileged’ to receive the honour and vowed to continue raising awareness about the impact of domestic violence and homicide on women and children.

Mr James Michael Keggen MBE

James Michael Keggen, known as Mike, is being given a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

The 69-year-old – who is a Coxswain at Port St Mary’s lifeboat station – is being given the honour for ‘incredible contribution’ to the charity, as it approaches its 200^th anniversary.

Mr Keggen has played a part in a number of roles, ranging from crew, mechanic, helm and coxswain, which he’s held since 2019.

In his 50 years of unbroken service, he’s been called out on more than 300 ‘shouts’, in which he’s crewed 140 rescues, aided 124 people and saved 13 lives.

Mike said he was ‘shocked and very proud’ to find out he was going to receive the MBE, and that it makes him look back on his time with the RNLI with pride.

Mr Guy Julian Thompson MBE

Mr Thompson has been involved in scouting for almost two decades and for the past 10 years has carried out the role of Island Commissioner.

Throughout, he’s focused on leadership, programme development and training so that young people across the Isle of Man have access to a range of activities.

Kayaking, archery, grass sledging and bush craft are just some of the activities he’s secured funding for equipment and training.

As a result, it’s believed the Manx scout group is one of the strongest in the British Isles.

More recently, Mr Thompson began an ambition to offer scouting experience to children with complex needs – in cooperation with the Education Special Needs Units.

There are now four ‘rainbow’ scout groups which give vulnerable young people an opportunity to participate in mainstream activities which is the first of its kind in the British Isles.

Dr John Keith Daniels MBE

Dr Daniels has been a full-time GP Principal at Palatine Group Practice for 32 years from 1990 until August 2022.

He was one of the Isle of Man’s first GP postgraduate tutors, where he organised teaching for Island-based general practitioners.

He has encouraged many to pursue careers in the medical field via his work in the Foundation Year Junior Doctors scheme.

Over the years he’s been a mentor to health professionals including advanced nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, and student physicians.

Dr Daniels has been a GP Appraiser since 2004 and has worked as an independent advisor to Manx Care and supported the RNLI with medical advice.

Now retired, he’s being recognised for outstanding services to primary care that he played a part in improving on the Isle of Man.

Mr Reginald Derek Kissack BEM

Reginald Derek (Derry) Kissack is being recognised for outstanding contribution to charitable, cultural and community work on the Isle of Man.

Mr Kissack’s creation of the famous ‘Purple Helmets’ in the 90s promoted the Isle of Man further which saw annual shows of the comedic motorcycle stunt group at Onchan Stadium, subsequently raising £124,000 for the Southern Motorcycle Club.

That money enabled the club to buy more than 100 acres of land at Cairnagrie and build a clubhouse with rider and family facilities.

For more than 27 years Mr Kissack led the Purple Helmets which entertained thousands and raised funds for local charities.

He’s described as a character with a ‘wonderful dry sense of humour’ and has authored two books about Manx history.

Some of the other charities he’s raised money for include Breakthrough Breast Cancer, RNLI, Hospice Isle of Man and Cystic Fibrosis Isle of Man.

Mrs Elizabeth Bankes-Jones - Lieutenant Governor's Commendation

The Lieutenant Governor’s Commendation is an award made personally by the Lieutenant Governor in recognition of significant contribution to Island life.

Mrs Bankes-Jones has helped a significant number of children with special needs and their families through her work as a primary school teacher and psychotherapist.

Eighteen years ago, she set up the charity ‘S4U’ which aimed to raise money and buy land to build a senior school in Uganda.

The Good Hope School benefited the whole community and has facilitated a free dental clinic for the village.

Her work led to a British Council International Award for Foxdale School and through her training in global education and shared pedagogic knowledge has resulted in good practice across the Isle of Man.

His Excellency Sir John Lorimer will present the award to Mrs Bankes-Jones in the New Year.