Veteran chef Herbie Bascome and sports stalwart Frederick William Tucker each became a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) when they were recognised by the Queen for their roles in the community. They, along with nine others were honoured in the New Year's Honours List, which was released last night.

"I am quite pleased with it (the appointment), " said Mr. Tucker, who was one of the founders of both the Somerset Colts baseball team and the Somerset Bluebirds softball team. "I was kind of surprised. In fact, I asked the gentleman if he had the right Freddy Tucker."

Mr. Tucker, who has been involved in sports for all of his life, spent many years working at the US Naval bases in Southampton and Kindley Field and organised annual crickets matches between the two for several years.

The only surviving member of the original Harris Bay and Somerset Old Boys teams said while he continued to follow all sports on the Island, he sees a difference between today's players and those of yesteryear.

"Back in the old days, when an umpire or ref made a decision, whether right or wrong, usually the player excepted it. But nowadays there's too much arguing," he said.

And, Mr. Tucker said, he believed many of the youth do not appreciate sports like in the past.

"I don't think the guys put too much into it - they think sports owe them something," he said. "They don't seem to want to put in the work."

Chef Mr. Bascome, who is also an avid trade unionist, has worked at the Princess Hotels for more than 30 years.

He said he was humbled to have been awarded such an honour, especially under the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) government.

"I feel very privileged to be given such an honour," he said.

Mr. Bascome, who was also voted Best Chef and Best of the Best in the hotel industry for 2002, encouraged the youth to explore career opportunities in the culinary arts.

"I say to young people that a chef career is one of the most fortunate that a young Bermudian can get. It can allow you to travel internationally," he said.

Also recognised in this year's honours are nine recipients of the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour.

"I think it's absolutely essential to give people a chance," said honouree Jim Butterfield.

The president of wholesaler Butterfield and Vallis Ltd., who has employed several recovering drug addicts at his company, is being recognised for his service to charities on the Island. One of his biggest benefactors is the Council Partners Charitable Trust (CPCT), which funds several treatment agencies on the Island.

Mr. Butterfield said he was "really humbled" to have received the award since he sees so many people on the Island who are just as deserving of it.

"Just yesterday I was driving behind a Meals on Wheels car and it made me think about the hundreds of people in this community who are doing so many wonderful things," he said.

Artist Robert Bassett, has used his talent to encourage the public to support worthy causes. The CPCT has also benefited from his generosity. Earlier this year, Mr. Bassett staged a fundraising exhibition to raise public awareness of the charity's work. The artist owns Regal Art Gallery on lower Reid Street.

Dedicated to preserving Bermuda's cultural heritage, Mr. Geoffrey Elliot and his wife Fay were both awarded the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour.

Over many years the couple have purchased collections of Bermuda-themed art and returned them to Bermuda for exhibition.

"We're very proud to have been able to do it," Mr. Elliot said. "We feel it's so much a part of Bermuda's heritage."

Currently, there are more than 200 pieces in their collection on display at the Commissioner's House in Dockyard in a room named in their honour.

Recognising the need for a positive outlet for young boys during their crucial developmental years, Milton Richardson founded De Boys' Day Out Club in 1995. The non-profit organisation is dedicated to the emotional and social development of young boys as well as teaching them about respect and responsibility.

Awards Mr. Richardson has won in the community include the Black Christian Forum Community award and the Professional Women's Club community service voluntary award. He now also becomes a holder of the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour.

Veteran taxi driver Terry Flood has been recognised by the Queen for his outstanding service to the community. The founder of the first registered housing association - the Low-cost Prefab Housing Association - is also the immediate past president of the CedarBridge Parent Teacher Student Association and a current member of Keep Bermuda Beautiful.

Loyal Hill, Devonshire resident Keith Simmons is honoured for his dedication to improving his neighbourhood. As a former chairman of the Loyal Hill Community Association, he developed the Loyal Hill Community playground and continues to manage it along with the Loyal Hill Racing Team.

Mr. Simmons, who is disabled, has championed improvement of the quality of life of those like himself.

Filmmaker Errol Williams brought to life the events of the 1959 theatre boycotts in his acclaimed documentary 'When Voices Rise'. The Guyanese-born Canadian, who has lived in Bermuda for the past 25 years, said that once he heard the story of the historic moment, he had to put it on film.

"I was fascinated by the story of the many attempts to desegregate the Island," he said. "The fact that the people were all still alive. I thought it would make a really interesting documentary."

And Kenneth Ebbin, who paid a pivotal role in the 1959 theatre boycotts, was honoured for his service to the black community.

Although not a member of the Progressive Group, Mr. Ebbin and his comrade Kingsley Tweed stood up in public and urged the crowds who gathered outside theatres not to pay.