A PEEBLES healthcare stalwart has spoken of her pride after being recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list.

Shirley Rogers, 59, will receive a CBE for her service to Scottish community healthcare and to major events.

The retired NHS worker, who has lived in Peebles since around 1996, said it was “lovely news” to receive in a “roller coaster year”.

“It was a real surprise,” she said of her nomination. “I was very proud.

“My mother passed away shortly before I got the news so it was kind of weird as it would have meant a great deal to her, so it was a bit bittersweet.

“I never in the world imagined that I would get a CBE. I never imagined I’d get anything, but a Commander? I didn’t ever imagine that that would be coming my way so I was delighted.”

Shirley [pictured], who had worked at the health service since 1996, retired from NHS Scotland in the autumn of 2023.

And shortly after that she received a letter from the Cabinet Office.

“An official letter, in my experience, you don’t always imagine it will be good news,” said Shirley, who was brought up in Shropshire.

“I didn’t know anything about it [the CBE] until the letter arrived in the middle of November. My husband told me that he wasn’t quite sure how to read my face because he could see it was an official letter.

“He was looking at me with a look of confusion and I apparently just burst into a big, beaming smile which told him that it was nothing problematic.

“It’s a surreal feeling. I come from an ordinary working class background, I don’t have any sense of entitlement to one of these things.”

Shirley was part of the team responsible for introducing first responders into Scotland.

In the latter years of her career at the NHS, she worked with the Scottish Government to help communities become more resilient and ensure that health and wellbeing responses were good.

In that role she offered support with planning around Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic and Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

She also worked with emergency services for the UCI Cycling World Championships to make sure events could take place as safely and successfully as possible.

On the biking competition, which saw races held at Glentress Forest, she said: “It was tremendously exciting. That’s one of the biggest sporting events that happens across the world.

“Peebles is such a fabulous place, the Borders is such a fabulous place and showcasing that around the world is always a real privilege.

“This is not just any old part of the world, this is where I live, this is home.”

Shirley, who started a new role as chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority board in December, hopes to receive her CBE at Holyrood in the summer.

Looking ahead, she said: “It will be a really nice moment to celebrate with my family.”

Shirley was not the only Borderer to be recognised in the King’s list.

Sally Loudon is due to be awarded an OBE.

The former chief executive of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities is being recognised for her service to local government.

Meanwhile, Stuart Hogg is set to claim an MBE for his rugby efforts.

The 31-year-old retired last year as his country’s record try scorer.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “My warmest congratulations go to all the Scottish recipients of the King’s New Year Honours. Scots are well represented in His Majesty’s list, which showcases the best of Scottish talent – including sport, the arts, community, education, business, charity, policing and healthcare.

“Scottish rugby centurion Stuart Hogg, who announced his retirement earlier this year, is rightly celebrated for his services to the game. Former Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright is also honoured [OBE] for his extraordinary work raising money for research into motor neurone disease through the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.”

He added: “This year, more than 100 Scots have been awarded honours. The achievements of such a diverse number of our fellow Scots is truly inspiring.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The New Year’s Honours list recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion.

“To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all.”