Journalist Charles Webbe and theatre producer Linda Paynter have been named on the New Year’s Honours List.

The Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour are bestowed in recognition of outstanding service to the community.

Mr Webbe has dedicated his career to promoting the Island, serving on the Trade Development Board and later with the Department of Tourism.

Managing public relations for the latter, he hosted travel journalists and celebrities along with his wife, Carolyn.

Mr Webbe worked as a reporter in Britain, as well as with local media including the Mid-Ocean News, DeFontes Broadcasting and ZBM.

A keen chef and art collector, he also broadcasts the Sunday service at the Anglican Cathedral, where he has served as a vestry member and people’s warden.

Ms Paynter, meanwhile, is widely known for her company, Linda Paynter Productions, which has hosted various benefits, fund raisers, musical and theatrical concerts and events aimed at raising funds for persons in need.

Her philanthropic career began in 1978, when she worked at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Beginning with a fashion show in aid of a young woman injured in an accident, she expanded her organisation to lend assistance to people across the Island, and she has been recognised for both her creative and community work.

“It’s an honour to know that someone recognises the things that we have done over the years — I was overjoyed,” she said, describing herself as self-made and self-taught.

Although she has acted, she said that producing events was her main love, though the high cost of staging events had limited her work in recent years.

“You have to love doing theatre,” she said. “I still get people stopping me on the street and asking when I’ll come back. When I retire, maybe I will.”

As for her royal recognition, Ms Paynter said she was grateful to have been suggested, but added: “I am not one to celebrate it like that.

“Helping people is part of my life.”