A weel kent face always willing to help any charity, school or organisation in Dumfries and Galloway has been given the British Empire Medal in the King’s New Year Honours List.
Thrilled Anne Croucher is one of nine people living in or with a connection to the region, who will receive a royal gong – and who had to keep tight-lipped for weeks until the New Year deadline.
The 58-year-old Dumfries mum’s generosity and time – going above and beyond her job as community champion at the Tesco Extra store at Cuckoo Bridge – has touched all ages for more than two decades.
Her BEM is for “services to the community in Dumfries and Galloway” and she is thrilled: “It is an honour and I can’t quite believe it still.
“I absolutely love my role at Tesco – where I have worked for 34 years, 15 as community champion – and it means I have had the privilege of been able to help and support so many people, and enable them to go on and do their own fundraising for amazing local worthy causes.
“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my colleagues, our customers, and my husband, Tom.
“And I have never done any of it to get plaudits, just a desire to help others. It is so lovely, though, to be recognised and I am so very grateful to get this unexpected honour.”
Along with helping to fundraise for many worthy causes, including the Standard’s own Christmas Toy Appeal, Anne also has close links with many schools, care homes, centres and charities – which she also helps in her own time. And she runs her own group, called Club Rosefield, on Friday evenings.
Dumfries-born Paralympian Nathan Macqueen receives an MBE “for services to archery” after winning gold in the Para Archery Mixed Team Compound event with Jodie Grinham at the 2024 Summer Paralympics. He came 5th in the individual.
The all-round sportsman played rugby for Glasgow Warriors at under-18 level before he was involved in a serious motorbike accident which left him paralysed from the waist down when he was 17.
Nathan, aged 33, is one of the most decorated Scottish Archers and an inspiration to many for his dedication and drive to succeed following a life changing accident. The all-round sportsman played rugby for Glasgow Warriors at Under 18 level before he was involved in a serious motorbike accident which left him paralysed from the waist down when he was 17.
He has now achieved many Scottish, GB and European medals for archery and, now living in Addiewell, provides advice and guidance at the local club.
As well as looking to the challenge of this year’s World Archery Championships and the Paralympics in LA in 2028, he is currently working to become a high level coach and supports the under 21 National Squad with coaching and guidance.
There is also an MBE for 29-year-old swimmer and five-time Paralympic medallist, Stephen Clegg, whose mum, Moira Beattie, lives in Langholm.
Stephen, who has the congenital eye condition, Stargardt’s macular dystrophy, is honoured “for his services to swimming”. and has a strong following in the region since making his Paralympic debut at the Rio 2016 Games after only taking up swimming in 2014.
He became a double gold medal winner at the Paris Paralympic Games – setting a new world record time of 59.02 in the men’s S12 100m backstroke final at the Paris La Defense Arena and winning the S12 1-00 butterfly in 57.49. They add to the silver and two bronze medals won in Tokyo three years before.
Stephen trains with the Edinburgh University team.
Dumfries-born Natasha Gilmour, who heads the Extra Help Unit at Citizens Advice Scotland, has been awarded an MBE in recognition of her services and efforts to help vulnerable customers.
Over the past decade, while she has been in charge, the unit has handled more than 170,000 complex cases, securing over £27 million in direct financial gain for its clients.
Natasha, nee Murray, attended Troqueer Primary and Dumfries Academy and was a talented badminton champion throughout school at regional then national level for Scotland.
The 47-year-old lives in Bothwell but her parents and family still stay in Dumfries town centre and she is a frequent visitor to “Doonhame” – never missing Guid Nychburris or The Beltie Beer Festival.
She said she is “absolutely thrilled and proud” to receive her MBE and that is was “a testament to the dedication and determination of our Extra Help Unit team and their tireless drive to support people in vulnerable circumstances”.
Two Stewartry women have also been recognised in the New Year Honours List with Sue Gourlay and Ann Rooke awarded British Empire Medals.
Sue, aged 79, who lives near Haugh of Urr has been recognised for nearly four decades of voluntary work including her involvement with Colvend Public Hall and SWI as well as Colvend and Southwick Community Council. She has been vice chairman of British Horse Society Scotland and chairman of BHS Dumfries and Galloway.
Ann from Castle Douglas is the cleaning supervisor at Castle Douglas High School and has been recognised for services to education and the Castle Douglas Community.
Mavis Paterson from Auchenmalg in Wigtownshire is also to receive a BEM. Known as Granny Mave, the 86-year-old’s epic charity rides have raised more than £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Mavis Paterson, aged 86. In 2019 she gained entry to the Guinness Book of Records for becoming the oldest woman to pedal from Lands End to John o’ Groats, completing the 1000-mile trip in one month and raised an incredible £60,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of her husband Bob and her three children who all passed away in their 40s – Sandy in 2012, Katie in 2013, and Bob in 2016.
In 2023 she cycled around Scotland – including Dumfries and Galloway – to raise £75,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
She was also the Pride of Britain fundraiser of the year representing the ITV Border region at the Daily Mirror Pride of Awards in London in 2023, and last year was named as Scotland’s Inspirational Champion of the Year.
There are also MBE’s for Gail Munro, who is the manager of the ice rink in the North West Castle Hotel, Stranraer. It is in recognition of her services to the sport of curling over the decades.
And an MBE for café owner and volunteer, Romano Petrucci, for services to the community in Stranraer. Romano is chairman of the Stranraer Development Trust, which among other achievements, organises the annual Stranraer Oyster Festival. It enjoyed record crowds of more than 20,000 over three-days in 2024.