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HWR volunteers and ambassadors receive well-deserved honours

A number of Henley Women’s Regatta (HWR) volunteers and ambassadors were named in the King’s 2025 New Year Honours List, recognising their service to rowing over many years.

David Biddulph (wearing the red tie in the photo), a long-standing HWR umpire, volunteer and supporter, was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to rowing. Biddulph has been a national and international umpire for many years, and a regular umpire at HWR.

HWR Ambassador Erin Kennedy, who coxed the GB PR3 mixed coxed four to gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for both her rowing achievements and her breast cancer awareness work.

HWR Ambassadors Imogen Grant and Emily Craig, who together won the lightweight women’s double sculls at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, were both awarded MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire).

Meanwhile former HWR Chairman Miriam Luke collected her MBE, awarded in the New Year Honours Lists 2024, in December 2024. Luke was awarded the honour by Princess Anne.