A couple who have dedicated the last 30 years to fostering have been awarded MBEs in the New Year Honours.
Patricia Bonthron and John Bonthron, from Ynysddu, were honoured for their services to children.
Mrs Bonthron, 71, told the BBC the couple had no plans to give fostering up and would continue for as many years as they were fit and able.
Fellow Ynysddu resident Eirwen Griffiths Roberts was awarded an MBE for her services to the community after helping save Ynysddu’s Sardis Chapel from demolition.
Local ward councillor Don Cullen said: “These are people of the community and not the highly paid actors and footballers that we hear so much about.
“I am sure that everyone from the village of Ynysddu will feel proud that ‘their’ neighbours have been honoured in this way.”
Former Rhymney Comprehensive headteacher Meredydd James gets an MBE for services to education and fellow headteacher Dr Christopher Howard, of Lewis School Pengam, is awarded an OBE for services to education.
Councillor Allan Pritchard, the leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “I have known both of them for many years and I am delighted that they have now been publicly recognised for their unstiting work in raising standards in their schools and the wider communities over many years.”
Former Blackwood Comprehensive teacher Walford Hutchings, 78, from New Inn, Torfaen, gets an MBE for services to Music and to the Community in Torfaen.
Businessman and founder of Bedwas company Peter’s Food Services Peter Thomas was awarded a CBE for entrepreneurship, sport and charity in Wales.
The current chairman of rugby side Cardiff Blues established the company with his brother Sir Stanley Thomas in 1971.