Two island residents, named in the New Year honours, have received their MBE and BEM awards.

Special ceremonies were held for Aileen Gelling and Julian Power at Government House in Onchan this month, where Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney presented their medals on behalf of the Queen.

Along with Angie Aire, who will receive her award at Buckingham Palace on Friday for services to Breast Cancer Now Isle of Man, the three were recognised for their service to the island.

Aileen was acknowledged for her efforts on the Isle of Man Prison’s independent monitoring board, a voluntary organisation with a statutory responsibility to satisfy itself as to the state of the prison, its administration and the treatment of offenders.

She served on the board for 15 years, initially as a member and then its chair, helping detainees with mental health problems to gain access to suitable care, while working closely with the Department of Home Affairs and the prison governor. She retired from the board in August.

Aileen said: ’I really enjoyed the evening and it was lovely to be in a room surrounded by family and friends. My niece Sarah Comish and cousin Carol Christian attended the ceremony. Being able to celebrate with them and others made it extra, extra special.

’The Lieutenant Governor and his wife are very good hosts and the staff at Government House are outstanding! They couldn’t be faulted.

’I’m quite down to earth now, I’m back to digging a trench in the garden to release water. You don’t need to wear a medal for that!’ she laughed.

The Ballaugh resident had the opportunity to collect her award from Buckingham Palace but decided to stay on home soil to be closer to friends and family.

Julian Power received his British Empire Medal for his contribution to music in the island for more than 40 years.

During that time, he has served as a teacher, brass coach, choirmaster, church organist and accompanist.

The Douglas resident has been involved with the Young Musician of Mann competition for more than 25 years and has been the director of music of the Isle of Man Choral Society for the last 10 years.

’It was great fun and very nicely done, with the right amount of formality, by His Excellency,’ he said. ’Many of my friends and family attended. That’s the whole point, to be able to celebrate with them.

’My daughter Helen, a professional international singer, actor, dancer and musician who has starred in a number of shows directed by Craig Revel Horwood, attended with my son Thomas and his lovely wife and two children, my other daughter Kathryn, a professional musician who will be playing the part of Florence in the Manx Operatic Society’s show Chess at the Gaiety in April and her husband Alex Toohey, as well as my wife Hilary.

’The only person missing was my daughter Suzi, who is also a professional singer, actor, dancer and musician and is currently a yoga teacher in London. People from my Isle of Man Choral Society, Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra and other groups that I work with were there too,’ he added.

Julian is now preparing to conduct the Isle of Man Choral Society and Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra in Verdi’s Requiem on March 25 before the production Chess.