Two North Devonians named in King’s Birthday Honours list 2025

A Barnstaple volunteer for the ambulance service and a huge contributor to Berrynarbor village life have both been awarded British Empire Medals in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Geoff Edwards, aged 72, a Community First responder for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and Judith Weedon, 86, from Berrynarbor are the only two on the list from North Devon.

Judith, or Judie as she prefers to be known, received her BEM for ‘services to the community’ and has tirelessly supported many aspects of village life since moving to North Devon 56 years ago.

She will be best known to many for starting up and running the Berrynarbor Newsletter for 33 years and 200 editions, packed with news from village organisations, weddings and births, local history, church events, original artwork and much more.

Above: Judie Weedon has been awarded a BEM for her dedicated and continuing support of village life and the community. 

Judie also founded the Monday Craft Group, has been a long-standing supporter of Berrynarbor-in-Bloom and village litter picks as well as organising a wide range of fundraising events over the years.

Until retiring she worked at the then Ilfracombe College for 24 years as PA to three consecutive headteachers.

On retirement she volunteered for the National Trust at Arlington Court and also helped out for a decade at Marwood Gardens.

Reflecting on her BEM award, she told the Gazette: “I was amazed, as I am sure everybody is, to a certain extent.

“It was surprising and especially as it’s some time now since I finished the newsletter. You don’t actually know what the award is for, but I assume that’s what it was.

“I appreciate that someone felt that I deserved to be brought forward.

“I would like to say I could not have done the newsletter for all those years and to the standard it was without the wonderful contributions from all the people and especially the regulars and the artists – it couldn’t have existed without that.”

Barnstaple BEM recipient Geoff Edwards received his accolade for outstanding voluntary service to the community.

Geoff began volunteering as a Community First Responder (CFR) in 2002 alongside his full-time job as a trainer with Post Office Ltd.

Since retiring, he continues to provide vital support to the community, routinely making himself available for 60 to 65 hours every week to attend emergency calls.

Above: Geoff Edwards, a volunteer community first responder for the ambulance service in Barnstaple, has received a BEM in the King’s Birthday Honours. Credit: SWASFT

Community First Responders are trained volunteers who attend certain types of emergency 999 calls in the area where they live or work. Their early intervention can be critical in helping to save lives, particularly in cases such as cardiac arrest or breathing difficulties.

Reacting to the news of his award, Geoff said: “I get great satisfaction from my role as a CFR and for my contribution to the local community to be recognised with the award of a BEM is amazing.

“This is a huge honour for me which gives me immense pride.”

Jane Whichello, head of volunteering and community services at SWASFT, said: “Geoff has shown unwavering dedication to his community for more than two decades, and his commitment is nothing short of inspirational. We are incredibly proud that his voluntary service has been recognised in this way. 

“On behalf of everyone at SWASFT, I offer Geoff our warmest congratulations and heartfelt thanks for everything he continues to do.”