TWO Cotswold women have been recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours.

Susan Glover Durrell, a consultant physiotherapist at the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has been recognised for services to physiotherapy in the honours list with a MBE.

The physiotherapist's career took off after qualifying from Guy’s Hospital School of Physiotherapy, London in 1986, undertaking a rotational post specialising in musculoskeletal outpatients and in 1995 completed an MSc in Manipulative Therapy.

In 1993 she became one of the first orthopaedic physiotherapy practitioners in St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust, gaining early recognition as a pioneer in a musculoskeletal extended role.

In 2004 she became the first physiotherapy consultant in spinal services for Wandsworth Primary Care Trust and St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust, and also led the development and audit of the introduction of the Primary Care interface service.

She held a national role working with the Department of Health and in November 2006 was appointed into the first physiotherapy consultant post in Gloucestershire, as consultant physiotherapist musculoskeletal services within Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The MBE follows being awarded a Fellowship of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in July 2009, for her contribution towards advancing the physiotherapy profession as a whole.

In 2010 she also accepted the role of Honorary President of the professional occupational interest group “Chartered Physiotherapists working as Extended Scope Practitioners” (ESP) and in 2014 Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recognised her with the outstanding clinical leader of the year title.

Meanwhile, a popular Blockley woman has received a British Empire Medal (BEM).

Mary Elizabeth Doreen Robinson, who has become well known in the community for her work at Blockley Church, has received her BEM for services to music in the community.

After learning to play the piano at six years old and the church organ soon after, Mrs Robinson has enjoyed a lifetime of musical endeavours.

Initially in Northern Ireland and then with the British Troops in Germany followed by a large church parish in Cleethorpes, North Lincolnshire, Mrs Robinson worked alongside her army chaplain husband Tom.

In 2002, Mrs Robinson became organist and choirmaster for the Blockley and Bourton on the Hill benefice. Mrs Robinson focused more on music following the death of her husband in August 2007, gaining a reputation for becoming the centre of musical works, drama and choral production in Blockley.

Mrs Robinson went on to work as a musical director with Blockley Amateur Dramatics, Blockley Blokes Choir, Blockley Ladies Choir, the annual ‘Gloriana’ Concerts and Orchard Bank Housing Association.

The BEM is likely to well received as Mrs Robinson is held in much affection and respect by the choir and congregation, and the wider community in North Cotswolds.