A KNIGHTHOOD for Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis leads the New Year Honours in Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset and beyond – and could lead to a royal debut on the Pyramid Stage!

The 88-year-old will now be Sir Michael after receiving the honour – an upgrade on the CBE he received in 2007 – for services to music and charity.

Sir Michael – the new Sir in shorts – said: “Emily came up with the official letter. I was really surprised to see it, actually. Why did they choose me I wonder?”

He added: “What can I say, really? I’ve done quite a lot of stuff in my life and I’ve always been fairly sure that I was doing the right thing.”

And is a royal appearance at Worthy Farm possible?

“Last time I met him (the King), I got a suit especially,” Sir Michael went on. “And he said, “Why aren’t you wearing your shorts?”!

“But I think William might do the ceremony. He’s made a few mentions of wanting to come to the festival, so I’ll probably take a couple of tickets in my pocket.”

Also in the list was Blandford’s Janie Frampton, a former international football referee, who has been made an OBE for services to equality in sport.

She has gone on to co-found Team You, a consultancy dedicated to empowering individuals through courses on gender leadership, social awareness, equality, diversity, and inclusion, soft skills and more, with a specific focus on supporting sports officials

Janie Frampton, of Blandford, has been made an OBE

“I am truly honoured and humbled by the award bestowed on me,” she said. “This recognition fuels my dedication and commitment to excellence and motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and to uphold the values and standards set by this prestigious accolade.

“I extend heartfelt gratitude to those who believed in my work, fostering a spirit of achievement and innovation. This accolade serves as a testament to collective efforts, inspiring me to further contribute to the development of equity, diversity, and inclusion across sport and industry.”

Other New Year Honours in Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire include:

Knighthoods
Professor John Peter Iredale, of Somerset – Lately interim executive chair of the Medical Research Council – for services to medical research

OBE
Marcus Edward Trescothick – Mental health ambassador, Professional Cricketers’ Association – for services to mental ill health

Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) David Ian Whimpenny, of Salisbury, Wiltshire – Lately board trustee, the Royal British Legion – for voluntary service

MBE
Samuel James Braddick, of Gillingham, Dorset – For services to the community in Gillingham

Penelope Jane Brown, of Salisbury, Wiltshire – For services to charity and to the community in Salisbury

Jennifer Sheridan Bryer, of Yeovil, Somerset – Teacher, Pony Club – for services to horse riding

The Reverend Christopher Richard Colledge, of Bournemouth, Dorset – for services to the community in Bournemouth

Deborah Heather Dixon (Deborah Williams), of Poole, Dorset – for services to the community in Poole

Harriet Hannah Laurie, of Dorchester, Dorset – founder of TheHorseCourse – for services to disadvantaged people in Dorset

Richard John Linley, of Somerton, Somerset – Lately senior inspector of courses, British Horseracing Authority – for services to horse racing

Joanne Elizabeth Loftus, of Warminster, Wiltshire – Lately civil secretary, Ministry of Defence – for services to defence

Alexandra Ellen Vincent, of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire – Lately chief operating officer, Arts and Humanities Research Council – for services to research funding

Norman Walton, of Nailsea, Somerset – founder, Severnside Community Rail Partnership – for services to urban rail transport in Bristol

William John Ward, of Lymington, Hampshire – for services to the community in the New Forest

Belinda Ann Winstone, of Salisbury, Wiltshire – team leader, Army Bereavement and Aftercare Services – for services to military families

Elizabeth Kay Billington, of Christchurch, Dorset – chair, Kushti Bok and vice-chair, Dorset Council Gypsy Traveller Forum – for services to the Gypsy and Traveller community in Dorset

John Robert Boyne-Aitken, of Trowbridge, Wiltshire – for services to heritage crafts

Alison Stephanie Buchanan, of Bovington, Dorset – founder, The British Horse Society Changing Lives Awards and trustee, #WillDoes charity – for services to young people

Rowland George Butler, of Chard, Somerset – for services to the community in Chard

Robert John Collins, of Wraxall, Somerset – founder, Pass It On Young Sports Voluntary Youth Organisation – for services to young people and to sport

Susan Joan Foster, of Church Crookham, Hampshire – for voluntary service in Hampshire

Stephen Michael Harrison, of South Petherton, Somerset – for services to the church and to the community in South Petherton

Hilary Mary Jenkins, of Salisbury, Wiltshire – for services to the community in Wiltshire, particularly during Covid-19

Christopher John Kent, of Chippenham, Wiltshire – organist – for services to music and musicology