Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

New Year Honours 2025: BEMs for astronomer and charity founder




Medallists of the Order of the British Empire

A graduate of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, who came up in 1979 and stayed on in the city after completing a science degree, Paul Michael Fellows has made an outstanding contribution towards the public understanding of science and, latterly, astronomical science, as chairman of the Cambridge Astronomical Association.

Paul Fellows, Cambridge Astronomical Association
Paul Fellows, Cambridge Astronomical Association

He has been awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) for services to astronomy.

Paul began his work 40 years ago, leading the Cambridge team that wrote the software for the first ARM processor, and has remained active in the Cambridge technology scene for 35 years, co-founding several businesses.

“I was totally surprised – very pleased obviously, but what a shock,” said Paul, who as a teenager got to meet the great Sir Patrick Moore, recalling how he felt when he first heard the news.

“It’s very nice to have been recognised for all the time and effort that’s gone into it. Of course that’s not why I did it – and why I still do it. I do it because I love doing it and it’s been a very good experience.”

These days, Paul is involved with Kynesim Ltd, a technology development company located on Clifton Road, Cambridge.

Emily Halban, co-founder of A Space Between (ASB) with Tianna Moquette Dagher, has been awarded a BEM for services to tackling isolation, loneliness and anxiety through art.

Since 2019, Emily, who was born in Geneva and has lived in the UK for 25 years, moving to Cambridge six years ago, has dedicated her time to enhancing the health and wellbeing of others with art through ASB.

Through her efforts, she has enabled the delivery of more than 10,000 creative care parcels to more than 22 hospitals across the UK.

How did Emily feel when she found out about the award? “It was quite difficult to absorb,” she admitted, “we haven’t really taken the time to either acknowledge or congratulate ourselves, between my co-founder and me.

“We’re a tiny team and we’re just not very good at taking any form of recognition, to be honest.”

Emily was also recognised by the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a Points of Light Award in 2021.

David Richard Chambers, from Huntingdon, has been awarded a BEM for services to music and to the community in Somersham.

Malcolm John Fletcher, lately secretary, Ely Military Band, has been awarded a BEM for services to the community in Ely.

Benjamin Lee Thomas Hawkins, an emergency dispatcher and community first responder, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, has been awarded a BEM for services to emergency care, staff wellbeing and mental health (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)

Mark Long, from Cambridge, a founding team member and producer, Sawston Youth Drama, has been given a BEM for services to musical theatre for young people in Cambridgeshire.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More