Rothbury woman follows in footsteps of her husband by picking up New Year Honour

Pam Clouston, 70, leads the community first responders group in supporting the work of North East Ambulance Service.

"It’s very surprising and very pleasing,” said Pam, who receives the award for services to the community in the North East.

The voluntary role often involves responding to incidents in remote parts of Coquetdale.

Pam, who joined in 2002, says it is also a very rewarding role.

"It’s something I get an awful lot out of,” she says. “You’re helping someone in difficulty but also get to meet some fantastic people who you otherwise wouldn’t come across. Hopefully it will encourage more people to step forward and volunteer.

"When I first started there were very few first responder groups anywhere but there are quite a few now and over the years their role has evolved.

"We do have a community paramedic in Rothbury but if they are tied up with something the next nearest is in Alnwick so we quite often get called out to things like falls.”

Pam has also served as a magistrate for 24 years, initially at North Tyneside and, latterly, to the position of a Senior Chair in The Family Court.

She has also been a director of urban regeneration firm, Clouston Group (previously Silverlink Properties), for around 30 years.

Her husband, David, received an OBE in 2000 for services to regeneration. They have one son, Richard.

Elsewhere, Northumbrian piper David Bailey receives a BEM for services to music.

The 68-year-old, from Morpeth, has held the position of official piper to the Lord Mayor of Newcastle since 1988.

Stephen Holmes, Northumberland County Council’s former service director for adult social care, has been awarded an MBE.

Stephen worked for the council for almost 40 years until October and receives the honour for services to adult social care during Covid-19, during which time he helped ensure the council was able to continue to provide critical frontline services.Daljit Lally, chief executive of Northumberland County Council, said: “Stephen has dedicated his career to looking after and caring for those who need it most and his work will leave a lasting legacy."

Other Northumberland figures on the list include:

Barbara Helen Dean, of Alnwick. Chief Executive Officer, Nest Corporation. For services to Pension Saving.

Rachel Adam. Project Director, Museums Northumberland Bait. For services to Arts and Culture.

Katherine Sarah Jane Dawson, of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. Founder and Director, The All-in-One Company. For services to Business and Frontline Workers during the Covid-19 Response through the Scrub Hub Ashington. (Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland)

Samantha Orde, of Morpeth, National Chairperson, Riding for the Disabled Association. For services to People with Disabilities.

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