Rugby great Gerald Davis knighted

Welsh rugby great Gerald Davies has said he feels “stupid” after receiving an honorary knighthood in the New Year.

The 79-year-old Wales and British and Irish Lions wing was recognized for his services to rugby union and his volunteer and charity work.

“It’s an incredible honour,” said the former player, who scored 20 tries in 46 Tests for his country and was among a select group of three Grand Slam winners during a 12-year international career in the 1960s and 1970s.

Paralympic athletes, doctors and St John Ambulance volunteers are among the Welsh names to be honored, with a total of 58 people from Wales included in King’s 2025 list.

Sir Gerald, originally from Llansaint, Carmarthenshire, played for Cardiff, Llanelli and London Welsh and became a highly respected manager in the sport after retiring in 1978.

He was the Lions manager on the 2009 tour of South Africa and served as President of the Welsh Rugby Union from 2019 to 2023.

“I was humbled by that and moved by the thought that someone, somewhere, thought I was worthy of such an honor,” he said.

“I’m really touched. I’m really surprised. Words are not enough to express it.”

He said he was grateful for the “tremendous support” of his wife Cilla and children Emily and Ben, as well as friends and colleagues, adding: You achieve it entirely on your own.”

He was awarded a CBE in 2003, which also recognized his achievements outside of rugby.

He said life is now “good and calm”, but “rugby will forever be a part of my life”.

Sabrina Fortune, who won gold in the women’s F20 shot put event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, said she was “reckless” to become a Member of the British Empire (MBE).

“I wanted to walk around the kitchen and call everyone,” she said.

Fortune, from Mold, Flintshire, is recognized as the best female F20 shot putter in the world, having won three world titles, and is also recognized for her athletic ability.

The 27-year-old set new world records at Birmingham and Kobe, Japan last July.

She then broke her own world record by winning gold on her first throw in Paris.

“I was told I would never amount to anything, that I would never amount to anything, so it’s an honor for people to look up to you,” she said.

She said “I just wanted to cry” when she heard about the MBE, and said it was important for players to receive the New Year’s honors award.

“I train six times a week,” she said. “Winning a medal at the end of the year is something that pushes you.”

Other athletes who have received an MBE include Olympic cycling champion Emma Finucane, Jodie Grinham, who was seven months pregnant when she won gold at the Paris Paralympic Games, and more recently Wales rugby union team manager and former Wales hooker Alan Phillips.

Finucane, from Carmarthen, competed in her first Olympics and won the team sprint with Katy Marchant and Sophie Capewell, setting a world record.

The 21-year-old later added an individual sprint bronze medal with Kaylin and defended her world title.

Dr Rowena Christmas, who has worked as a GP in Monmouthshire for more than 25 years, said she was “absolutely delighted” to have received an MBE for services to general practice.

She said she felt no honor when she received the letter from the Cabinet Office.

“I really had no idea,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t think of anything that meant more reality.”

Dr Christmas, who is also the Wales Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), champions the importance of good primary care in rural clinics like hers and across the country.

She said this recognition “really makes a difference” and that she was “really hoping for a great year ahead.”

She is preparing plans specifically to improve “continuity of care” across Wales and “reduce the pressure on hospitals”.

“I am absolutely passionate about the importance of GP practices (in this job),” she said.

The MBE goes to Richard Huw Jones from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. He volunteered with St John Ambulance for 23 years, providing treatment for around 120 heart attacks and attending an average of 100 life-threatening incidents a year.

The 55-year-old volunteers up to 1,200 hours a year and leads teams of staff at large events.

“I joined St John Ambulance Cymru as a new member in Llanelli over 20 years ago in 2001 and have since provided emergency transport and worked as operational commander at the Principality Stadium and tactical commander for events such as the Eisteddfod and music concerts,” he said. .

“It wasn’t a fast path. I started from the bottom by taking a four-hour first aid course, and through hard work, I was able to get to where I am today.”

Francesca Bell, from Brecon, Powys, received the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to community development in Bannau Bycheiniog National Park or the Brecon Beacons.

She said she was “shocked” to receive the award. “It’s a great honor to receive this award for myself, but it’s also to raise awareness for everyone in the national park and everyone in the community.” These are people who are working really hard to create a better life for the environment and people,” she said.

Bell, 63, has worked as the park authority’s community development officer for 10 years, as well as volunteering for the organization.

Other Welsh winners include musician and accompanist Richard Parry from Cardiff, Bethan Darwin, Cardiff founder of the Superwomen Wales business network, woodworker Peter Lawson Bradwick from Torfaen Cwmbran and community sports stalwart Michael Cope from Blaenau Gwent Ebbw Vale.

Welsh Minister Jo Stevens said: “It’s inspiring to see the great work done by so many people from so many different backgrounds.”

“Whether their passion is sport, health and wellbeing, music or the arts, their contribution makes a huge difference to our lives. I would like to thank each and every one of them.”