Frome’s World Formula 1 Champion, Jenson Button, was joined by Frome-based wildlife presenter Simon King in being recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
Jenson Button has described receiving his MBE as ‘the crowning glory’ of his year after being honoured in the new year’s honours list.
The 29-year-old was recognised for his outstanding contribution to British sport after taking six Grand Prix victories and winning the 2009 Formula 1 world championship.
Jenson said, “I’m incredibly proud to have joined the likes of Mike Hawthorn, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, John Surtees, Sir Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Lewis Hamilton as British Formula 1 world champion. But to be recognised by Her Majesty The Queen and the British people is a tremendous honour for me. This really is the crowning glory to what has been the most incredible year of my life.
“The past 12 months have provided me with such an exhilarating journey. We literally started with nothing, but had the belief, determination and passion to take on the world and succeed. Everybody at Brawn GP played their part and it was down to their expertise, dedication and hard work that we were able to achieve so much.
“Many people played a role in my world championship – and in receiving this award, I want to acknowledge and thank them for all their efforts.
“For 2010, I am starting another exciting chapter in my career – and I am already looking forward to representing Great Britain on the world’s sporting stage and successfully defending my world championship.”
Simon King, a television presenter and cameraman specialising in wildlife documentaries who is based in Frome, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to wildlife photography and conservation.
Simon, who lives outside Bruton, has been working in the field of natural history film making for almost 30 years. Recently, he has filmed and co-presented the long-running BBC One series Big Cat Diary alongside Jonathan Scott and Saba Douglas-Hamilton, which follows the progress of lions, leopards and cheetahs in the Masai Mara Game Reserve.
He also co-presents BBC Two’s annual Springwatch and Autumnwatch series. Recent filming projects include principal camera credits for Wild Africa and The Blue Planet. He has won BAFTA awards for his camerawork on Life in the Freezer and Planet Earth, for which he filmed a celebrated slow-motion sequence of a great white shark leaping out of the water to catch a Cape fur seal.
Jenson to be made freeman of Frome?
Frome Town Council is expecting to make a decision next week on how to honour the achievements of Jenson Button.
A sub-committee made up of town councillors have been discussing ways to honour the Frome Flyer’s achievements and a decision is expected to be made at a full town council meeting on Wednesday 13th January.
2009 was a triumphant year for Jenson, who grew up in Frome, after he became the new world champion Formula One driver. Ideas being discussed by the town council have included making Jenson an honorary freeman of the town.
