Chief fire officer will 'cherish' honour

A chief fire officer has praised the work of staff after being recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Jonathon Pryce, of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS), receives the King's Fire Service Medal.

He said the honour was "personally something I will cherish", but added he was accepting it on behalf of all the staff who delivered "such amazing services" every day.

Mr Pryce has served more than 32 years in the fire service after starting his career as a firefighter in Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1992. He transferred to HWFRS in 2001.

He was appointed chief fire officer and chief executive in April 2021.

Mr Pyrce said the medal was "something I never expected to receive in my career".

"More importantly I accept it on behalf of all the staff in HWFRS who together deliver such amazing services to our communities every day," he said.

"My holding of the KFSM is only a reflection of the superb Fire and Rescue Service that I have the immense privilege to lead."

Kit Taylor, chair of Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority, said the award was "testimony not only to his hard work but also to his dedication and support given to all of us at the Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service".

Others across Herefordshire and Worcestershire being honoured include Wendy Tarplee-Morris, who set up the Little Princess Trust, and was appointed an MBE.

The trust, which makes wigs for children undergoing cancer treatment, is now the largest wig charity in the world.

They also include Redditch angler Mark Downes, who manages Team England. He was appointed an MBE for services to angling.

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