A HOSPICE specialist and a Holocaust survivor are among the inspirational individuals celebrated in the New Year Honours 2020.

The list, published by the Cabinet Office last night, recognises outstanding achievements of people across the UK - including about 20 people who live in or have links to Oxfordshire.

See the list at a glance

Professor Bee Wee, clinical lead for Sobell House Hospice in Oxford and a national clinical director for NHS England, has been made a CBE for her services to palliative and end of life care.

She said: "I am delighted because it's recognition of not just me, but all the people I've worked with and who have believed in me and believed in what we do.

"I was totally surprised."

The expert has been with Sobell House in Headington since 2003.

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Sir Jonathan Montgomery, chair of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "This is a very well-deserved honour for an excellent and caring clinician.

"It has been a personal privilege for me to have worked with her on legal and ethical issues in palliative care over many years."

Rev John Fieldsend has been awarded a BEM for his services to Holocaust education, having spent a decade touring schools, colleges and churches to talk about his escape from Nazi Germany.

The 88-year-old great-grandfather, who lives in Thame, said: "I got the letter from the Cabinet Office about six weeks ago.

"It's an honour - I obviously didn't expect it."

He estimated he had addressed between 30,000 and 40,000 students about how he and his brother fled Germany as young boys in 1939, travelling to England by train via the Kindertransport programme.

His parents stayed in Czechoslovakia during Hitler's genocide of Jewish people, and later died in the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Rev Fieldsend, who was a vicar for many years, said he 'didn't enjoy' reflecting on those memories but he found his role 'fulfilling'.

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The widower and grandfather-of-seven added: "Even though I lost my family, I've had such a good life in this country."

Berkshire-based Francis Habgood, who stepped down as the chief constable of Thames Valley Police in March, has received a knighthood in the Honours for his services to policing.

He spent four years in the post, 15 years within the force and more than 32 years in policing.

Film-maker Sam Mendes, who grew up near Oxford, received a knighthood for services to drama.

The former Magdalen College School student went on to direct American Beauty, and James Bond films Skyfall and Spectre.

Now based in London, he said he was 'amazed, delighted and extremely proud' to be honoured.

Sarah Whatmore, a professor of environment and public policy at Oxford University, has been made a dame for her services to the study of environmental policy.

Karen Barker, clinical director for trauma and orthopaedics at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has been made a CBE for services to healthcare.

Also becoming a CBE is Paul Cann, the former chief executive of Age UK Oxfordshire, for services to combatting loneliness in older people.

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Vodafone's external affairs chief Helen Lamprell was made a CBE for services to business and to equality, while John Clive Cecil May had the same honour for services to young people.

The Minister for Women and Equalities, Liz Truss, said: "It's fantastic to see Helen recognised for the great work she's done for equality in the United Kingdom.

"I hope her work will serve as inspiration to many as we look to unite this country and drive forward an agenda that seeks to give everyone an opportunity to succeed in life."

Di Batchelor, principal of Abingdon and Witney College, was made MBE for her services to further and adult education, while literary agent Felicity Bryan gained the same accolade for services to publishing.

Timothy Streatfeild was also made MBE, for services to charity.

Other Oxfordshire residents to receive BEMs, as well as Rev Fieldsend, included Christopher Ward, former neighbourhood inspector for Thames Valley Police, for services to the community in West Berkshire.

Anthony Bateson, a trustee at Stroud Court Community Trust and founder of the County Air Ambulance Trust, was also awarded a BEM for services to health charities and to people with autism.

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Aditi Lahiri, an Oxford University professor of linguistics, gained a CBE for services to the study of linguistics, as did Oxford University emeritus professor Nicholas Woodhouse, for services to mathematics.

Being made CBEs for services to technology were Timothy Robinson, non-executive director of the Department for International Development; and Andrew Dawson Taylor, former executive director of the National Laboratories, Science and Technology Facilities Council.

Stephen Slack, former chief legal adviser to the Archbishops' Council and the General Synod of the Church of England, and official solicitor to the Church Commissioners, was made a CBE for services to the Church.

Nationally, a total of 1,097 people received an award in the Honours list - the lowest number since 2012.