Professor David Cannadine from Reepham has been made a Knight Bachelor for services to scholarship in the New Year honours list, announced today.Prof Cannadine is a historian of modern British history from 1800 to 2000 in the Centre for Contemporary British History at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London.

Professor David Cannadine from Reepham has been made a Knight Bachelor for services to scholarship in the New Year honours list, announced today.

Prof Cannadine is a historian of modern British history from 1800 to 2000 in the Centre for Contemporary British History at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London.

He was formerly Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Professor of British History.

Prof Cannadine's work especially focuses on the British aristocracy, urban development and the structure of power in British towns, issues of class in Britain, and the themes of cultural expression and ceremony both within Britain and its empire.

Among his books published are The Decline and Fall of the British Aristocracy and also Ornamentalism: How the British Saw their Empire.

A retired soldier aged 82 who works with a team of people to build maternity clinics in northern Afghanistan and is next year planning to build a 10-bed hospital, has been made an OBE.

Brigadier Peter Stewart Richardson, of North Creake, said he felt very honoured to have been given the award but stressed that he was very much part of a “wonderful team”. Two of his colleagues are both in their seventies. His OBE is officially in recognition of services to Humanitarian Aid in Afghanistan.

Brig Stewart Richardson, who is already an MBE, said the clinics that have been built in the Panjshir,Valley region are funded by “the Good Lord”. “We suddenly get a gift and we are greatly supported by two charities which provide plumbing and digging of wells,” he said. Equipment was also provided by the Americans who he said were “incredibly generous”.

The honour is also in recognition of Brig Stewart Richardson's work for the Army Benevolent Fund in Norfolk. He is chairman of the Norfolk committee which raises between £18,000 and £22,000 a year.

One of the main events is a Beating the Retreat ceremony staged at the Thursford Collection Museum. “The ceremony, which also includes a concert and fireworks, is held every year and we are most grateful for the help and support given to us by Thursford Collection owner, John Cushing,” he said.

The general manager of the National Construction College at Bircham Newton, Terry Kivlin, has been made an MBE for services to the construction industry and the community in King's Lynn.

“I was surprised and there was an element of 'do I deserve this' - perhaps I was lucky,” said Mr Kivlin, 59, who will retire at Easter after 24 years at the West Norfolk centre.