The organiser of the region's biggest Christmas show, education leaders and an acclaimed author have been included in the New Year's Honours list for 2020.

Eastern Daily Press: John Cushing won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Norfolk Arts Awards at Norwich Cathedral's Hostry.Photo: © Simon Finlay PhotographyJohn Cushing won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Norfolk Arts Awards at Norwich Cathedral's Hostry.Photo: © Simon Finlay Photography (Image: Copyright Simon Finlay 2017)

John Cushing - nicknamed Mr Christmas - is among the stand-out names in the list, having been honoured for his role in organising the hugely popular Thursford Christmas Spectacular, which brings hundreds of thousands of people to the region each year.

Eastern Daily Press: Prof Anne Osbourn of the John Innes Centre in Norwich has been made an OBE for services to plant science. Picture: John Innes CentreProf Anne Osbourn of the John Innes Centre in Norwich has been made an OBE for services to plant science. Picture: John Innes Centre (Image: John Innes Centre)

Mr Cushing, who plans each event more than a year in advance and is its producer and director, has been made an OBE for his services to charity, as a result of funds raised through the annual showcase.

Eastern Daily Press: City College, Norwich, principal Corrienne Peasgood.PHOTO: Nick ButcherCity College, Norwich, principal Corrienne Peasgood.PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: �archant2016)

He said: "I shed an emotional tear when I opened the letter. It means a lot that people care about what we're doing in Thursford."

Eastern Daily Press: Peter Thomas, who has received the British Empire Medal Picture Credit NewsmakersPeter Thomas, who has received the British Empire Medal Picture Credit Newsmakers (Image: Amanda Sandland-Taylor Newsmakers)

Author Rose Tremain, who lives in Norfolk and has served as chancellor for the University of East Anglia received her second honour, has been made a dame, having already been made a CBE years ago.

Eastern Daily Press: Former UEA chancellor Rose Tremain who has been made a dame. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYFormer UEA chancellor Rose Tremain who has been made a dame. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

A number of well-known members of the education community also made the list, with Corrienne Peasgood, principal of City College Norwich, and Wherry School founder Barry Payne both being made OBEs for their services to education.

Eastern Daily Press: Jill Bignell, a teacher at Gisleham Middle School and founder of Educate Peru, has been made an MBE Picture: DAVID LENNARDJill Bignell, a teacher at Gisleham Middle School and founder of Educate Peru, has been made an MBE Picture: DAVID LENNARD

Ms Peasgood said she was "hugely honoured" to be included on the list.

Eastern Daily Press: Barry Payne, who has been made an OBE Picture: DENISE BRADLEYBarry Payne, who has been made an OBE Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

She added: "It points to what can be achieved through collaboration, teamwork and inclusiveness - and to the importance of removing our institutional hats, from time to time, and working out together what is right for students or for a particular sector."

Eastern Daily Press: The Tilney Ward is currently open at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn. Pictured: Service Pathways director Anna MorganThe Tilney Ward is currently open at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn. Pictured: Service Pathways director Anna Morgan (Image: Archant © 2011)

Nationally, some of the key members of England's World Cup-winning cricket team were honoured and a stalwart of the sport locally added to this trend - as Norfolk Cricket Alliance chairman Peter Thomas picked up a British Empire Medal. Mr Thomas, 67, said: "I am very honoured and humbled, but I do what I do for a love of the sport, not for awards."

Eastern Daily Press: Amanda Reeve, Norfolk County Council curriculum manager, who has received a British Empire Medal. Picture: NCCAmanda Reeve, Norfolk County Council curriculum manager, who has received a British Empire Medal. Picture: NCC (Image: Archant)

Another British Empire Medal recipient was Amanda Reeve, curriculum manager of Norfolk County Council's adult learning department.

She said: "I'm very grateful to receive this recognition for work that has become a passion for me. I believe having good maths and English is the cornerstone to enhancing people's life chances. Working with families, improving their English and maths skills has been a real privilege."

There were also honours for members of the region's scientific community, including Anne Osbourn, one of the leading professors at the John Innes Centre who became the second member of her family to be made an OBE - joining her sister Jane Osbourn.

She said: "It is a great honour to have another OBE in the family - our mother is thrilled."

Professor Tim Jickells from the University of East Anglia (UEA) was made an OBE.

Prof Jickells, who has taught at UEA for more than 30 years has been rewarded for services to marine and atmospheric sciences. He is a recognised international expert on the chemistry of the oceans and atmosphere.

He joined the University as a lecturer in 1985 and was appointed to be a chair in environmental sciences in 1998.

Prior to joining UEA, he worked as a marine chemist for the Clyde River Purification Board in Glasgow and the Bermuda Biological Station in Bermuda.

Prof Jickells formally retired in 2018 and was made an Emeritus Professor earlier this year, when he was also appointed as a member of the Broads Authority.

Professor Kevin Hiscock, professor of environmental sciences at UEA, said: "I am thrilled that Professor Jickells has been made an OBE.

"Not only is Professor Jickells recognised as a leading scientist in the study of nutrient and trace metal chemistry in marine environments, he is also a great supporter of scientific endeavour through his various advisory roles for the UK research community and government departments.

"As a faculty member in the School, Professor Jickells has inspired many students and researchers over the years in the field of Earth System Science. Taken together, Professor Jickells' recognition in the New Year Honours list is very well deserved."

Vice-Chancellor Professor David Richardson said: "I am delighted and immensely proud that the vitally important scientific contributions of one of UEA's long-standing academics Prof Jickells has been recognised and honoured in this way.

"Tim has taught at UEA for over 30 years and has played a hugely important role in marine and environmental sciences in the international arena."

The full list of local honours is as follows:

Dame

- Rose Tremain - for services to writing

Order of the British Empire

- John Cushing - for services to charity

- David Gray - for services to policing and child protection

- Timothy Jickells - for services to marine and atmospheric science

- Yvonne Mason - for services to young people

- Anne Osborn - for services to plant science

- Barry Payne - for services to children with special educational needs and disabilities

- Corrienne Peasgood - for services to safeguarding and to construction skills in Norfolk

Member of the British Empire

- Jill Bignell - for services to children

- Dominic Boddington - for services to alternative education

- Heidi Fisher - for services to innovation

- Maureen Ford - for services to cancer patients

- Anna Morgan - for services to nursing

- Andrea Pull - for political service

British Empire Medal

- Margaret Bumphrey - for services to the community of Briston

- Katharine Fisher - for services to children with disabilities and their families

- Amanda Reeve - for services to education

- Margaret Smith - for services to community music

- Peter Thomas - for services to grassroots cricket

Royal Victorian Order

- Andrew Barrett

- Nichola Colman