Express & Star

Local heroes: Goldie and Jacqui Oatley in Queen's New Year Honours list

Unsung heroes from across the Black Country and Staffordshire have been rewarded for their years of dedication and hard work in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

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From church and school volunteers to renowned musician Goldie and broadcaster Jacqui Oatley, the region's stalwarts are celebrating after being recognised with the accolades.

Goldie, whose real name is Clifford Price and also goes by the professional name of The Alchemist, was honoured for his contribution to the music, TV and film industries and his work with a number of charities.

He was raised in the care system and spent a large part of his youth in Heath Town in Wolverhampton.

He became an honorary doctor of design to recognise his work as a performer and artist. "I turned 50 in September and I've always felt there's more work to do," he said. "From where I've come from, I look back at everything, all these people that influenced my life as a kid growing up in a really bad environment, it just makes it all worthwhile in terms of the recognition.

"We have choices in life when we're young and I think a lot of things were stacked against me. I've always been a big champion of saying what we do today creates tomorrow."

He made his name with Timeless, often described as one of the most iconic albums of the 90s.

IN PICTURES: The golden years of Goldie

They are included with thousands more people from across Britain in the list, which has been made public today.

Codsall-born broadcaster Jacqui Oatley, who became the first female commentator to appear on Match of the Day, received an MBE as did Walsall's Clifford Price, better known as the musician Goldie.

Also recognised is Veronica Box, who has has been involved in running the Burntwood Memorial Village Institute, Staffordshire, since 1969.

The 79-year-old was a key player in fundraising to upgrade the institute and received a British Empire Medal.

She said: "When I received the envelop I was completely gobsmacked.

"I think it's lovely and the ladies of the WI deserve this as much as me."

Mother-of-eight Pearly Reid, 80, from West Bromwich, has received the BEM for her community work.

She said: "It really was an honour especially after just celebrating my 80th birthday, which showed how appreciated I have been over the years."

Jacqueline Humphries, 53, received a BEM for her work at the Tipton Job Centre and within the community.

Professor Barry Carpenter, who was educated at Rowley Regis Grammar School, received a CBE for his expertise in learning disabilities, while Wolverhampton councillor Sandra Samuels received an OBE for political service and services to local government.

Veronica Box receives a British Empire Medal

Councillor Brian Edwards, from Kinver, has served as leader of South Staffordshire County Council for 11 years and receives his MBE for services to local government.

Kath and Roy Shayler, from Wolverhampton, who have fostered 150 children over the last 40 years, have been given MBEs along with Stuart Chapman, 43, development manager of Walsall Tenants and Residents Federation.

MBEs were also awarded to Staffordshire's Ahmed Jamal Nasir Awan, chief executive Officer of Awan Marketing International, Wolverhampton foster carers, Clifford and Jacqueline Bennett, Great Wyrley's Janet Burns, chair National Dignity Council, and Sinead Butters, from Stone, chief executive of Aspire Group.

Community man Robert Mudway, from Brocton, was given a BEM while the Queen's Police Medal was handed to former West Midlands Police detective superintendent, Steven Craddock.

Codsall-born Jacqui Oatley received the gong in honour of her work to increase the participation of women in football.

Jacqui, aged 41, who attended St Dominic's School in Brewood and Wolverhampton Grammar School, said she was in shock at the news.

In 2007 she became the first woman commentator in the history of Match of the Day and has gone on to work for ITV and as a director of the Women In Football group.

Jacqui follows in the footsteps of her mother Sonja, a former county councillor for Codsall, who received an MBE back in 2011.

"The first thing I thought about when I found out was my mum," Jacqui said.

"I was so proud of her when she got hers, which was extremely well deserved.

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