A COLLECTION of Suffolk's most committed volunteers and community stalwarts have been honoured today in the New Year's Honours list.Among them are a hospital patient who was so thankful for his care that he spent years volunteering in the NHS, a dedicated local politician and a pair with a gift for music and arts and crafts.

A COLLECTION of Suffolk's most committed volunteers and community stalwarts have been honoured today in the New Year's Honours list.

Among them are a hospital patient who was so thankful for his care that he spent years volunteering in the NHS, a dedicated local politician and a pair with a gift for music and arts and crafts.

Together they spoke of their surprise at being singled out for praise, combined with their pride at being honoured.

Len Tate, the 74-year-old honorary vice chairman of Heartbeat, East Suffolk and chairman of The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust Cardiology User Group, said his MBE for services to healthcare came as “such a shock”.

“It was a surprise,” the grandfather-of-three from Sycamore Way, Brantham, said.

“I feel very proud.

“I've had a heart attack, I've had a bypass, I've had a mechanical valve fitted and I've had a defibrillator put in my chest and everything I've done (for the NHS) has been me trying to put something back.”

Mr Tate's journey to becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire began in 1989 when he suffered a heart attack and soon after became involved in Heartbeat.

He went on to be its chairman for nine years and is now its honorary vice president. Each Friday he visits patients in Ipswich Hospital who have suffered heart attacks or other heart complaints and he is involved in the Anglia Network, a Patient Pathway sub-group run by Suffolk PCT.

“Heartbeat has been important to me and my wife. We run so many things like swimming, exercise, line dancing, holiday, all sorts of things,” he said.

Sue Sida-Lockett, former deputy leader of Suffolk County Council, received an MBE for services to regional and local government.

She said: “I'm absolutely thrilled. It recognises the role of local government.”

Mrs Sida-Lockett, 66, who lives in Cotton, served as a councillor for 22 years, representing Thedwastre north for 20 years and Thedwastre south for two years. She is a former conservative group leader at the county council and former chairman of the East of England Regional Assembly. She resigned from the council last year.

“I think there are so many good people working in local government, there's not enough acknowledgement of that,” she said.

Lynne Edwards, a quilt maker from Ipswich, was awarded an MBE for services to arts and crafts while Ian Harwood, president of The Lute Society, was awarded an MBE for services to musical heritage.

Others in Suffolk who received awards included Janet Williams, education manager at HM Prison Highpoint, who received an MBE for services to education.

Suffolk author Peter Vansittart was awarded an OBE for services to literature while William Roderick MacDonald, chief executive of the British Racing School, was awarded an OBE for services to the horse racing industry and to disadvantaged young people.