TWO Cheshire west and Chester councillors have received royal recognition for their part in bringing Chester's Storyhouse culture hub and the Northgate Development to life.

Labour councillor Samantha Dixon and Conservative councillor Stuart Parker worked together to help bring the long-awaited cultural attraction Storyhouse from a dream into reality in 2017.

Now their efforts have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours, which this year coincided with her Platinum Jubilee.

Both have been made an MBE, as hundreds of people also received honours for their outstanding contributions to society.

Reacting to the news, Storyhouse project director Graham Lister said: "Many congratulations to Cllr Sam Dixon and Cllr Stuart Parker on your MBE, both pivotal in the development of Storyhouse."

Storyhouse itself responded: "We're over the moon that two of our biggest supporters have been rightly recognised for their work on Storyhouse in an amazing cross-party collab that has resulted in what we are today. Thank you so much for everything you've done for us."

City of Chester MP Chris Matheson said: "Councillors Samantha Dixon and Stuart Parker have been recognised for their joint work leading the development of Storyhouse and now the Northgate Project which will open this year. They put party differences aside, showed real leadership and are worthy recipients of the MBE."

An MBE was also awarded to Sheena Cumiskey, retired chief executive at Wirral and Cheshire Partnership NHS FT for contributions to improving mental health.

Sheena, from Christleton, said: “My work in helping to develop and improve mental health services, challenge stigma and champion parity of esteem has been an inspiration and joy to me. I am absolutely delighted that this has been recognised by Her Majesty; not only for myself but just as importantly for the many people who have made the journey with me.”

Regional director for NHS England and NHS Improvement North West, Amanda Doyle, congratulated NHS staff recognised in the Queen’s Honours. She said: “I’m incredibly proud of colleagues working across the region who have gone above and beyond to provide the best care to our patients, especially over what has been a very challenging two years.

“The passion and dedication among our workforce is incredible and I congratulate you all, as well as other recipients in the North West, on receiving such significant awards.”

Principal and CEO of Cheshire College – South & West, Dhesi, has been made an OBE for services to education in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the sector.

Commenting on the announcement, Dhesi said: “I am both surprised and humbled to receive this honour. I share this award with all those colleagues that I have had, and continue to have, the privilege to work alongside. Colleagues that are talented and passionate about nurturing talent, empowering people to achieve their full potential and making a real impact with the businesses and local communities. I am so fortunate to work in the Further Education sector, a sector that transforms lives and communities.”

In his almost three decades of service to education, across North Wales and Cheshire, Jasbir Dhesi (known as Dhesi) has been a champion of Education and skills, working with employers and partners to support economic growth and development within the region and its surrounding areas.

Joining Yale College, Wrexham in 1992, Dhesi rose to the position of Principal 19 years later. Eventually leaving to become the new principal/CEO of South Cheshire College, having led Yale College into a merger with Deeside College to create Coleg Cambria.

In 2017, he led on a second successful merger of South Cheshire College and West Cheshire College, forming what is now known as Cheshire College - South & West; the largest Further Education provider in the region offering exciting opportunities to 11,000 learners and 11,000 apprentices.

Also a very worthy recipient of an MBE honour is Gordon 'Gus' Cairns, who has been recognised for his tireless efforts to help others in his Blacon community and beyond.

Chris Matheson, commenting on Gus Cairns' honour, said: "Gus has been open about his own struggles with late-diagnosed autism and with mental health issues, but these have not stopped him from activism and leadership supporting patients in West Cheshire, and improving services for all."

CWaC councillor Sheila Little added: "Congratulations to Gus Cairns on receiving the the MBE in the Platinum Jubilee Honours list. A well deserved award for Gus, who has worked tirelessly over the years to make a difference to many people."

Iceland Frozen Foods MD Richard Walker has been made an OBE. The frozen food retailer boss, who lives in Tarporley, said of his honour: "Shocked and hugely honoured to have been awarded an OBE for services to business and the environment in today's Birthday Honours List - which I accept on behalf of the real business heroes: my 30,000 Iceland colleagues."