CHAMPIONS of the arts, education and helping the homeless are amongst those saluted in the New Year’s honours list.

They include Alison Thompson, who chairs Emmaus Hampshire and played a major role in opening its centre at Bar End Road, Winchester.

The 65-year-old from Domum Road, Winchester, who is a mother-of-four, has chaired the scheme since 2000.

Before that, she spent a decade working with another homelessness charity, Trinity Winchester.

She spent several years fund-raising for Emmaus and work on its £3m centre was completed last year.

It now offers shelter to 23 homeless ‘companions’ who have the chance to learn new skills.

Mrs Thompson said: this week: “The award is a wonderful recognition of the Emmaus community and the effort that has gone into it from everybody over the years. This really is the icing on the cake.”

She has been awarded an MBE, which is also the case with Mollie White, chair of governors at Lantern’s Nursery School.

She is receiving the award for voluntary services to education at the school, which has around 90 youngsters.

Ofsted inspected the premises at Bereweeke Road, Winchester, in May this year and said it was ‘outstanding’ in almost every category.

The report said: “Governors are exceptionally supportive of the nursery and play an important role in helping set up and monitor development priorities such as those for community cohesion.

“They consult widely with parents and freely give of their considerable expertise, for example with regard to special educational needs.”

A senior Winchester academic has been awarded an OBE for services to education. Joyce Goodman, is professor and dean of education at the university.

Also set to become an MBE is mother-of-three Madeline Edmonds, who is a trustee of Test Valley Arts Foundation.

The 78-year-old from Old Palace Farm in King’s Somborne said she was “pole-axed” on hearing the news.

She said: “When the letter arrived it said ‘cabinet office’ and I thought ‘I’m not in politics, so it must be a mistake and I’ll throw it in the bin’.”

However, she read the letter, and found that she had been recognised for services to art and the community in the Test Valley.

Staying in the Test Valley, Katrine Sporle, chief executive of the Planning Inspectorate, who lives in Nether Wallop near Stockbridge, will become a CBE.

An award is also going to Alison Quant from Andover, the outgoing director of economic development at Hampshire County Council, who will receive an OBE.

Based in Winchester, she was also head of the environment department for seven years and former president of the County Surveyor’s Society.

Another senior officer at the authority, equality and inclusion manager Mohammed Mossadaq, more widely known as ‘Moss’, will also receive an OBE.