The recipients of New Year honours have told iomtoday.co.im about being recognised for their work in the Manx community.

St John Ambulance stalwart Mary Bridson was one of four island residents to be honoured.

The other recipients were former First Deemster David Doyle, businessman Stewart Clague and first responder Martin Benson of Rushen Emergency Ambulance.

Mrs Bridson has been awarded the British Empire Medal for her many years of outstanding service to St John Ambulance in the island.

Mrs Bridson, now 79, joined the Douglas Nursing Cadet Division in 1950 and went on to take charge of the division in 1965. She was admitted as a Serving Sister in the Order of St John in 1970 and rose through the ranks to become Commander in 1999.

After 68 years of service, she is still involved on a daily basis as the personnel officer.

She said from her home in Port-e-Chee Avenue, Douglas: ’I put a lot into St John Ambulance but got a lot out. I met a lot of people and made a lot of friends.’

Indeed, if it wasn’t for St John Ambulance, Mary would not have met her husband Derek. They have been married now for 52 years.

Mrs Bridson said it had been a big surprise when she got notification of her honour from the Cabinet Office in London at the end of November.

’I think it has sunk in now. You are not supposed to tell anybody and I kept to the rules!’ she said.

David Doyle receives a CBE for outstanding service to Manx law.

As Second Deemster and then as First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls, Mr Doyle was a strong and positive force in the Manx judiciary for more than 15 years until he stood down this summer.

He has now returned to private practice as a senior lawyer within Cains’ litigation department.

Mr Doyle said: ’This unexpected honour reflects the contribution made by many within the Isle of Man Courts of Justice and the Manx legal profession to the administration of justice on this wonderful island.

’I am delighted that the work of the island’s independent judiciary and legal profession has been acknowledged in this way. I thank my family, friends and colleagues, both on and off island, for their continuing inspiration and support.

’I look forward to the exciting challenges of 2019 with gratitude and renewed vigour.’

Mr Doyle was brought up in Hong Kong and studied law in Newcastle before being called to the English Bar in 1982 and the Manx Bar in 1984.

He was sworn into office as First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls in December 2010 following the death of Michael Kerruish.

With a passionate belief in the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law, he led the forging of close links with High and Appeal Courts around the world.

Self-made businessman Stewart Clague becomes an MBE in the New Year’s Honours for his outstanding contribution to the Isle of Man and the Lonan and Laxey community.

His business SCS (Stewart Clague Services) has grown from a one man plumbing operation set up in 1969 to now the largest multi-trade company in the island with contracts across the building services industry.

The company now employs more than 100 staff, some of whom have been employed for several decades.

During the last 50 years, Mr Clague has become very involved in putting something back into the industry, helping with apprentice training and serving on many committees including a term as president of the Employers’ Federation.

In recent years he has handed over the running of the company to his son Alan, and other directors Steve Carter and Gary Crittenden.

His commitment to his company, with the support of his wife Barbara, has been matched by his commitment to the community.

Near his home in Baldrine, he has created the Ballannette nature reserve in memory of his daughter. It’s open to the public and hosts school visits and community and charity events.

He was involved in developing the Salmon Lake Centre near Laxey Wheel.

And with the help of others, he is currently involved in saving the Lonan Parish Building (formally All Saints Church), to be re-opened for public use as a community centre through a registered charity.

Martin Benson has been awarded the British Empire Medal for his outstanding and continuing public service.

He has been pivotal in the Rushen Emergency Ambulance for more than 40 years, and in the First Responders scheme which he runs in parallel.

Both services run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with calls going directly to him. All this has been in addition to his career as an air traffic controller.

Joining forces with others he helped to obtain public access defibrillators for the south of the island and beyond.