Two Readers from the Diocese of Truro have been awarded the MBE, for services to the community, in the Queen’s Birthday Honours – Dr Mike Hersant from Penzance and Mr Warren Nicholls from St Blazey.

 

Mike Hersant writes…

“I came to Penzance in 1966, after a year in the Isles of Scilly, and was a GP for 30 years. I was also Honorary Medical Adviser to Penlee Lifeboat, and gave medical advice to ships at sea through Lands End Radio.

“I was licensed as a Reader in Madron and then Gulval, and now continue to help there and in the United Benefice of St Buryan, St Leven and St Sennen, as well as being Chaplain to the Penzance Unit of the Sea Cadet Corps.

“It has been a great privilege to have had the training and opportunity to help people where I have lived for many years, and to have been associated with many dedicated staff and volunteers in some of the remarkable organisations connected with the health and rescue services.”

 

Warren Nicholls writes…

“I was very surprised to receive a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office and very humbled when you consider how many people do wonderful things, quite unnoticed.

“I have been a Reader for almost 48 years, and this started when in the army in Aden. I did a correspondence course very quickly, and as a result was helping in the strangest of places. From there it was Guiana (Guyana), then Hong Kong and around the Gulf States. Now I am licensed to Tywardreath, with other parishes.

“It has been quite an experience visiting the sick and taking funerals. Also being a Chaplin to the local British Legion for 26 years, arranging the Annual Remembrance Services; but I have been very fortunate in having understand parish priests.

“I have served on Lostwithiel Town Council – having the honour of being Mayor three times – always assisted in everything by my wife Helen. Currently I serve as a trustee of Age Concern for Cornwall.

“I think that having concern for others in our daily lives helps pay back the good fortune for having a good family life and good health as we get older.”