A man who has been at the heart of the community in Helston and the Lizard Peninsula for the last decade has been made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

With such an active role in various organisations, it is fitting that Julian Rand should be awarded the honour for services to the communities in Mawgan and Helston.

He is perhaps best known for his role with the South Kerrier Alliance, of which he was chairman for seven years before standing down last year, during which time he oversaw the creation of the Old Cattle Market community building.

He remains chairman of the West Cornwall Local Action Group, treasurer of the Lizard Tourism Association and chairman of the governors of Garras Primary School.

Mr Rand and his wife Ali were founding governors of the Garras Owlets Pre-school and still retain an active role, with Mr Rand acting as treasurer.

As part of a dedicated team they have helped feed new pupils to the primary school, through the pre-school – as a result primary pupil numbers have risen from a low of just nine to the current 38, which is set to rise to 44 in September.

In the past he has also been vice chairman of Mawgan Parish Council.

A few years he represented a group of 18 households in court, in a battle against their housing association.

However, Mr Rand, who moved to the area from Berkshire around ten years ago, said he felt “humbled” by the honour, explaining: “I’m fortunate to work with lovely people who care. I’d never done anything like this before I came here – it’s just something about Cornwall.

“This is a wonderful community in Mawgan and Garras. It’s always, therefore, a pleasure to do things. People here are amazingly generous.”

He also paid tribute to his wife Ali, saying: “I couldn’t do it without her – she is my rock.”

Aside from his work in the community, Mr Rand, 66, runs four holiday lets with his wife under the title Glebe Hall Cottages.

He was nominated for the honour by Charlotte Chadwick, former community network manager in Helston and the Lizard Peninsula, who has worked alongside Mr Rand on a number of projects.

Elsewhere in West Cornwall, Margaret Byrne was also made an MBE for services to education and the community in Mousehole and Paul through her role as chair of the governors of Mousehole Primary School, while Raymond Blaker was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to charity and the community in Penzance.