Scarborough's World Cup-winning captain adds New Year's Honours 2026 to list
Scarborough’s England World Cup-winning captain has added another huge honour by being named in the King’s New Year’s Honours list.
Zoe Stratford, who led the Red Roses to a gripping 33-13 World Cup final win over Canada in September, has earned an Officer of the Order of the British Empire honour to cap off a wonderful year for her personally, just a month after getting married to rugby coach Luke Stratford.
The 29-year-old was one of 84 people from Yorkshire and Humberside who have contributed to their community and country celebrated in His Majesty The King’s New Years Honours List 2026 today (Dec 29).
In total, 1,157 recipients have been awarded this year for their exceptional achievements, with a particular focus being on those who have championed their communities.
Another one is Wetherby man Dean Buckle, owner of a bike shop in the town, who has been recognised for his significant community service and charitable fundraising, for which he was named Wetherby’s Townsperson of the Year in 2015.
Mr Buckle has raised funds for numerous national charities like Cancer Research UK and local causes including hospices, schools, and sporting clubs, notably helping the Kirk Deighton Amateur Football Club survive financial difficulties.
North Yorkshire New Year’s Honours
Knighthood
Richard David Harpin, for services to politics
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Prof Piers Maxwell de Ferranti Forster, Interim Chair, Climate Change Committee and Professor of Physical Climate Change, University of Leeds, for services to tackling climate change
Simon John Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Sainsbury's, for services to the retail industry
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
David James Dickson, for services to business and charitable causes
The Rev Prof Sylvia Denise Dyas, Emeritus Professor in History and Director, Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture, University of York, for services to Theology and to heritage
Prof Ian Greaves, Co-Founder, Trauma Care and Patron, Magpas Air Ambulance, for services to pre-hospital care
Robert Davis McIntosh, Managing Director, North West and Central, Network Rail, for services to the railway in the North of England.
Zoe Rosalind Stratford, for services to Rugby Football Union
Caroline Jane Bayliss, for services to the community in Harrogate and North Yorkshire
Ishtiaq Ahmed Din, Playwright and Screenwriter, for services to the Arts and Young People in the North East
Dr Ava Maria Easton, Chief Executive, Encephalitis International, for services to People Affected by Encephalitis
Prof Brian Angus Ferguson, Public Health Strategic Advisor, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Department of Health and Social Care, for services to Public Health Research, North Yorkshire
Ruth Ive, Foster Carer, Fostering North Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Council, for services to foster care.
Prof Avtar Singh Matharu, Professor of Chemistry, University of York, for services to Equality, diversity and inclusion and to interfaith and community cohesion
Lynne Marie Pallister, Social Enterprise Manager, Future Regeneration of Grangetown, for services to social enterprise
Catherine Mary Parums, Royal British Legion, for services to national commemorative events
Kambiz Ramzan Ali, for services to the sport of taekwondo and the community in Harrogate
Miriam Elisabeth Wilcox, Co-Founder, In2Out, for services to reducing reoffending and to young people
Terence John Wilcox, Co-Founder and Chair, In2Out, for services to reducing reoffending and to young people
Andrew Kevin Windass, Senior Engineer, AGH Engineering Ltd, for services to rail engineering
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire
Caroline Bentham, for services to the community in Ripon.
Debra Fixter, Founder, Sprouts Community Food Charity, for services to the community in Stockton-on-Tees.
Susan Claire Hall, for services to the community in Ryedale.
Philip Michael Jones, Junior Chief Coach, York City Rowing Club, for services to rowing and young people in York
Clare Alexis McCullagh, Nursery Director, Rosedene Nurseries Limited, for services to early years education