Local sculptor, Philip Jackson has been appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in the Queen's birthday honours list.

The 'CVO' is awarded in recognition of services to the royal family, which will come as no surprise to those of us who have seen his fine sculptures with a royal theme such as the Queen on horseback in Windsor Great Park and the recently unveiled Queen Mother memorial statue in the Mall.

Many will remember enjoying the escorted coach tour from Cocking that Philip arranged, linking a selection of his sculptures in and near London.  Those who went on the trip will realise that his public works are by no means all based on a royal theme.  He has for example produced several bronze works depicting football subjects including the 1996 World Cup group near Upton Park, the home of Bobby Moore's club, West Ham United and statue of the late England captain himself at the new Wembley Stadium.

Naturally, there are local examples of his works, such as the new Angel Gabriel, suspended on wires at Harting Church, the statue of St. Richard next to the cathedral in Chichester and of course Cocking's own Millennium History Column would never have taken shape without Philip Jackson, CVO.

So, a richly deserved honour for our famous resident, pictured above at the unveiling of the History Column four years ago.