COMMUNITY-MINDED people, charity champions, leaders in education and a politician were among those honoured by the Queen this week.

Stephan Aylett from Gilwern, former head of physical Education and assistant headteacher at Brynmawr Foundation School is awarded an MBE for services to education and to the community.

Mr Aylett, aged 67, said that it was quite humbling to be rewarded in this way.

"It's reassuring that people have gone out of their way to recognise what I have done,"he said. "I have since retired from teaching full-time at Brynmawr after 42 years but I am still involved with the Welsh Joint Education Committee.

"I was inspired to go into teaching and not follow my father down the mine after watching the television series 'To Serve Them All My Days' which became the blueprint for my career.

"Since the news of my award former students of mine working all over the world have sent their congratulations to me. It has made me feel glad that I chose teaching as my vocation in life."

Well-known hot-air balloonist Christian Brown aged 48, from Llanvihangel Gobion is awarded an OBE for his voluntary and charitable services to the community in Monmouthshire.

Mr Brown currently manages the £1 million Heritage Lottery funded project to restore Ebeneser Chapel in Cardiff and locally is an active volunteer with many organisations including St Michael's Centre, Abergavenny Relief in Need Charity and the Bryn Trading Post.

He also helps fund the community-run post office, which is twinned with the Port Lockroy post office in Antarctica.

He is also a founder member of Abergavenny Volunteer Bureau.

Mr Brown said, "I'm simply shocked and humbled in equal measure at receiving the award, I still can't quite believe it.

"I was amazed to receive the letter which I thought was a tax demand so didn't open it for two days!

"Obviously it means the world to me to receive an award especially one that was so special and unexpected."

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams, Assembly Member for Brecon and Radnorshire receives a CBE. Ms Williams is honoured for her political and public service.

"This award was really a surprise to me," said Ms Williams.

"To be awarded a CBE is a great honour and one which I am delighted to receive. I'd like to thank my family who have been an immense support to me.

"However, my only sadness is that my father will not be here to see me receive this as I know how much it would have meant to him."

Christine White, aged 67 from Llanelly Hill has been awarded the British Empire Medal for voluntary service through her Blackwood-based charity Cancercareline and services to the community in Monmouthshire.

Mrs White formed the Cancercareline charity 17 years ago and worked as a counsellor in providing support to people suffering from cancer.

Mrs White, who is now chairman of the charity, said that receiving the award was a 'lovely surprise'.

Dr Sandy Holt-Wilson from Raglan has been awarded an OBE for ophthalmologist services to people in Ethiopia.

Dr Holt-Wilson worked as an eye surgeon within the National Health Service before he retired and went on to use his skills to improve eye care services to the people in the Gondar region of Ethiopia.

He later set up a charity called Gondar (Ethiopia) Eye Sight and has built a new eye hospital which now has five doctors.

Former deputy head of Llangynidr Primary School, Linda Games, aged 83 receives the British Empire Medal for her services to the community.

Mrs Games was at the school for 35 years and is still a community volunteer in the village.

She is also a well known pianist and organist and has been a Sunday school teacher at Sardis Baptist Chapel since 1944. She also plays the piano for the 70-strong mixed choir The Phoenix Singers.

Mrs Games said that she was honoured to receive the award for something that she had enjoyed doing.

Julia Rennie, aged 42, from Tregare in Raglan receives a British Empire Medal for her services to early years provision and for her charitable work.

Mrs Rennie is proprietor of the Puddleducks Nursery in Raglan.

She and her friend Julie Rogers are known as the fundraising Bra Girls who have power-walked numerous marathons in specially decorated bras, to raise funds for the breast cancer charity Walk The Walk.

Mrs Rennie said: "The award is not just for me, it's an honour for everybody. I shall wear the medal with pride and it will be the best bit of bling that I possess.

"Being honoured in this way doesn't change anything and I shall be undertaking more fundraising marathons next year."

Andy Adams, a former Chief Superintendent, spent his 30-year career with Gwent Police force, which earned him an MBE for his services to law enforcement and public protection.