Bus hero and town crier in King's Birthday Honours

A man who opened his pub up to children left traumatised by a fatal bus crash and a veteran town crier are among the people from the West to be recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List.

Eric Norman, 74, opened the Rest and Be Thankful Inn in Wheddon Cross near Minehead in Somerset in July 2025 to welcome the survivors of the coach crash that killed 10-year-old Oliver Price.

He was praised for acting quickly and selflessly to provide comfort to adults and children in shock and giving emergency responders a base to coordinate from.

Town crier Trevor Heeks, 82, said was "unbelievable" to be recognised for "looking after Trowbridge" in Wiltshire since 1986.

Other inspiring people across the West have been honoured for their contributions to charity, animal welfare, mental health, and education.

Norman, who was born near the by Rest and Be Thankful Inn and has been the landlord of the pub for nearly 20 years, welcomed injured and terrified children to the pub after the crash on 17 July.

He said his actions were part of a community response.

"We're a country community therefore we know that when problems arise someone will always be there to help and do things. Simple as that," he said the day after the crash.

As well as taking home a number of World Champion town crier titles, Heeks has been involved in humanitarian work with the Trowbridge branch of Lions International for over 25 years.

He was given the British Empire Model (BEM), which are usually given for "hands-on" service to the community in a local area.

At the age of 82, he is still going, having appeared at a woman's 100th birthday last week.

"It's the people that keep me going," he said.

He was awarded the Freedom of the Town by Trowbridge in 2011 and has delivered key announcements for major royal events, including the Jubilee Celebrations, the death of the Queen, and the King's Coronation.

"I first went out with the town crier when I was eight years old, in the Cotswolds where I grew up. I always wanted to be a town crier," he said.

"You only get out of life what you put in."

Nirmal Singh, 64, from Bristol, was awarded the BEM for providing thousands of free hot meals for children at Felix Road Adventure Playground in Easton.

For 20 years, she has been running the kitchen herself and sometimes feeding up to 300 children a day with nutritious meals.

In recent years, her work during free school meals programmes during school holidays have helped transform the lives of thousands of children in the city.

Susan George, a 75-year-old from Somerset, was awarded an MBE for setting up a charity after losing her husband to cancer in 2010.

Her charity Lasting Life gives funding directly to nominated people in need, often smaller organisations where small amounts of money can have a big impact.

Others who were recognised included Philip Stocker from Gloucestershire, who was awarded an MBE for his contribution to sustainable farming and animal welfare after a 50-year career.

Mary Colwell, 65, from Bristol, was awarded an MBE for services to nature after campaigning for the protection of curlews and better environmental education

Heather Frankham, 57, also from Bristol, was given an MBE for services to vocational education and apprenticeships.

Lee Ralph, 45, from South Gloucestershire was given the BEM for his work leading a cultural shift on mental health and wellbeing in the fire service.

Tyron Woodford, 53, from Swindon was awarded the same medal for being a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion in the rail sector.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "Across the UK, people are quietly changing lives and strengthening their communities. This Honours List is a chance to recognise them.

"Their dedication shows how lasting change is built - through compassion, resilience and a commitment to others."

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