TWO outstanding members of the Farnham community - voluntary worker, Guardian columnist and artist Stewart Dakers and civil servant David Havelock - have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Stewart, 79, a former Waverley countryside ranger, was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to disadvantaged people, having dedicated much of his life to supporting less privileged members of the Farnham community.

More than 40 years ago, Stewart founded the Thursday Club, providing a safe and social environment for adults with learning disabilities.

He also volunteers with the Brightwells Gostrey Centre for older people, “peeling veg” each year at the centre’s Christmas Day lunch, as well as 40 Degreez youth centre for whom he often busks outside White Stuff, and the Opportunities project in Hale.

Stewart has written for the Guardian newspaper since 1999, advocating the rights of older people through his Grey Matters column, and also holds the responsibility for opening many of Farnham’s public toilets at 8am each morning.

A prolific artist, for many years Stewart has set up his easel in the front window of The Frame Centre in Downing Street every Saturday - proclaiming himself the town’s “tart in the window”.

Fellow Farnham resident David Havelock, was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his outstanding service to the British export economy during a 12-plus year career at UK Export Finance, the UK’s export credit agency, providing finance and insurance to help UK companies flourish overseas.