Our Martine makes the Queen's Birthday Honours list

A Paralympic volleyball player and a flag bearer for small businesses are among those recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Martine Wiltshire with husband NickMartine Wiltshire with husband Nick
Martine Wiltshire with husband Nick

Four people from Berkhamsted and Tring made the list, announced at the weekend, to mark Her Majesty’s 90th.

Martine Wiltshire, the Paralympian who lost both her legs in the London 7/7 bombings, has been appointed MBE for her services to sport.

The 43-year-old, who lives in Tring with husband Nick and six-year-old son Oscar, has played 40 times for the Team GB sitting volleyball team.

And since losing both legs when disaster struck on the Circle Line in 2005, she has been a public campaigner for families of the victims.

“I believe the power of sport has healed me, and hopefully I am an example of that,” she said.

“But I am not accepting this award just for me.

“I am going to accept for all those volunteers and all those people that helped put me together, and those that support the power of sport.”

Wiltshire is not competing at the Paralympics in Brazil this summer but will be there as a roving reporter for Channel 4.

Berkhamsted-based Tim Sawyer, who is CEO of Start Up Loans, receives a CBE for services to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

He said: “Receiving a CBE is a great honour, but more importantly is a testament to the excellent work everyone at The Start Up Company has delivered over the years in helping the country’s start-ups launch and thrive.

“The hard work doesn’t stop here – we are committed to building on our current lending total of over £210million to ensure anyone looking to go it alone has the access to funding and support to help them succeed.”

Co-chairman of Waterloo 200 Tim Cooke, who is also based in Berkhamsted, is appointed OBE for services to the 200th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Waterloo.

A member of Council for The Society for Army Historical Research, a trustee of the National Army Museum Development Trust, and a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers, Mr Cooke has written numerous articles for military history journals over the years.