Three Petersfield women have been made members of the Order of the British Empire in the Kings New Years Honours.

Petersfield chorister and choral director Ann Pinhey, a former music teacher who lives in The Square, was awarded her British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Music, to Choirs and to Charity.

She took over the Harting Choral Society in the late 1970s, before going on to conduct the Meon Consort and the Thursday Singers.

In 1984 she formed the small choral group, Musica Sacra, that performed within a 20-mile radius of Petersfield, giving free concerts for over 15 years and raising more than £20,000 for charity.

After Musica Sacra was disbanded in 1999, she set up the Petersfield Chamber Choir in 2000, which ran for 13 years.

In 2014 she formed the Gemini Consort, a group of 12 experienced musicians, who all sing and some of whom play instruments.

Their most recent concert on December 17 in St Peter’s Church in The Square was a fundraiser for the Rosemary Foundation hospice at home charity of Lavant Street in Petersfield.

Valerie Ann Hart of The Spain, was awarded the BEM for her voluntary work with Petersfield organisations spanning 37 years.

Her support of groups that include Save The Children, the Petersfield Theatre Group Winton House and the Petersfield Free Shop in the former parcels office at Petersfield rail station.

Louise Wilders who lives off Pulens Lane in Petersfield was awarded the BEM for services to the community in Portsmouth.

She was named for her work in Portsmouth, especially at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Working with Portsmouth City Council, she was a driving force behind the formation of HIVE Portsmouth, which was established as a company in June 2019, and as a charity in April 2020.

In 2022 Louise stepped down as chief executive officer of the charity she helped co-found.

She said “I’m so proud of HIVE Portsmouth and what we have achieved. It has been a privilege to watch the charity grow into the incredible force for good which it is today.

“During my time as Chief Officer I’ve witnessed countless business, community groups and individuals step forward to offer their support, particularly during the pandemic. It’s been an honour to work alongside them and our dedicated staff and volunteers, in order to make a real difference to the local community.”