A ROYAL Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) chief has been knighted for his dedication to conservation and the environment. RSPB chief executive Sir Graham Wynne was given his title in the New Year Honours list. The Thriplow resident, who is marrie

A ROYAL Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) chief has been knighted for his dedication to conservation and the environment.

RSPB chief executive Sir Graham Wynne was given his title in the New Year Honours list.

The Thriplow resident, who is married to Janet, said: "I feel immensely honoured by this award, which I could not have achieved without the support of our million-strong membership and the drive of dedicated staff and volunteers."

However, with the scale of the environmental challenges ahead towering over us all, there is little time to pause for thought. With many species predicted to be committed to extinction because of climate change, we must continue to rise to the challenge of giving wildlife a secure future."

Mr Wynne has been with the RSPB since 1987, and became chief executive in 1998.

The director of music for St Mary's Church choir at Ashwell receives an MBE for services to music in the village.

Judith Catterick, 72, who has lived all her life in Ashwell, said: "It was a vast surprise. I owe a lot to the church choir for this honour."

Mrs Catterick, is the widow of the late rector of Ashwell Canon Jack Catterick, and also organises the annual Ashwell Music Festival, added: "I get my love of music from my mother who was a singer.

"I grew up and have lived my life in an isolated community where we had to make our own entertainment and that was music and we now have a cathedral style evensong at the church."

A special event is being held at the church on February 7 at 4.30pm when the choir will sing the Faure Requiem to commemorate what would have been Canon Catterick's 100th birthday.