The New Year Honours list has been published tonight and a number of residents in the Harrogate district have been recognised for their services to charity and the community.
OBE
Donald Parker, from Knaresborough, has been made an OBE for services to education in North Yorkshire.
Mr Parker is chief executive of the Yorkshire Collaborative Academy Trust. The trust runs five primary schools in Yorkshire including Bilton Grange Primary School.
Mr Parker has years of experience working as a headteacher in Yorkshire’s schools.
BEM
Ian Macpherson, from Harrogate, has been made a BEM for services to education.
Mr Macpherson is a percussion tutor who runs Percussive Edge in Harrogate. He said he began playing the drums at 13 and has pursued his hobby ever since.
He has played in numerous bands, as well as several military bands. He joined the army aged 16 and after completing basic training went to Edinburgh and London to train in music.
His military career led him to perform in the 1st Battalion Band of the Royal Scots and he became one of the youngest service personnel to be awarded the coveted Bandmaster qualification at the age of 27.
He now works in Harrogate as a percussion tutor and says over the years he has really enjoyed teaching hundreds of local students. He said some continue to play, including George Farrah who was a finalist in the Young Drummer of the Year 2015. Another student, James Cassells, also from Harrogate, has gone onto perform as part of Asking Alexandra, a rock band now based in Texas made up of men from North Yorkshire.
Speaking about the award Mr Macpherson said:
“I keep pinching myself. When I first received the letter I thought it was some kind of scam but then I saw the royal seal. I keep saying to my wife there are so many more deserving than me, there’s so many frontline workers doing so much amazing work. I am very grateful.”
Mr Macpherson said he owes much of his success to well-known drummer Ronny Bottomley. The former Leeds College of Music teacher has worked with the likes of Cilla Black, Kenny Baker and Dick Morrissey and was the first person to tutor Mr MacPherson at 13 years old.
Mr Macpherson said he hopes to never stop playing but chronic illness and osteoporosis in his upper spine has forced him to reduce teaching to just two days a week.
Read more:
Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal
Dr Julian Mark, from Ripon, has been honoured by the Queen for distinguished service.
Dr Mark is the executive medical director for Yorkshire Ambulance Service. He has previously worked at Harrogate District Hospital as senior staff anaesthetist, until 2014.
He chairs the National Ambulance Services’ Medical Directors group and sits on the Clinical Advisory Board for the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (RCSEd) and on the Clinical Advisory Forum for NHS Improvement.
Harrogate district residents recognised in Queen’s Birthday HonoursThree Harrogate district residents have been recognised for their work locally in this year’s Birthday Honours.
MBE – Member of the British Empire
Frances Helen Elliott, from Harrogate, has been made an MBE for services to the Harrogate community during the pandemic in her roles as head of practical support services of Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP), and chief executive of Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA).
Louise Sarah Hodgson, from Pateley Bridge, has been made an MBE for her services to policing and recruitment during the pandemic in her role as head of workforce development at the College of Policing.
Ms Hodgson has worked for the College of Policing for 20 years after moving into the district. Previously a teacher, she has worked within several recruitment and training departments.
In six weeks, she helped develop and roll out an online assessment centre to ensure constable recruitment continued during the pandemic.
This system is now being used by all 43 forces.
She said:
“It was a massive surprise when I was told about the award, I was taken aback and shocked. Now having had time to let in sink in I’m incredibly proud and honoured to receive it. Of course it’s not just me, it’s my team too, who have worked so hard.”
BEM – British Empire Medal
Lauren Amy Doherty, from Knaresborough, has been awarded a BEM for her services to education as the founder of the charity Road Safety Talks.
Ms Doherty has dedicated her life to speaking to young people and the emergency services about road safety after a road accident left her completely paralysed.
She tells schoolchildren across the country about her accident in 2008, when she was 20 years old, in hopes of encouraging them to be sensible and aware on the roads.
She has worked with North Yorkshire Police and the Fire Service on campaigns against drink driving and driving while using a phone.
She said:
“I was overwhelmed and excited when I found out. It’s such an honour to be recognised by the Queen. Over the years I’ve spoken to 8,000 children in schools and many more over Zoom calls and in the media.
“After seeing the impact it had on my family and others around me I didn’t want anyone else to go through it. If I can prevent it happening to one person that’s all that matters.”
Read more:
- Suzanne Bowyer wins her diamond prize after her work in the Ripon community was recognised
- Double organ transplant patient walks 850 miles for charity
QFSM – Queen’s Fire Service Medal
Rose Elizabeth Fearnley, watch manager at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, has been awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal for distinguished service.
Harrogate district residents recognised in Queen’s birthday honoursThe Queen’s Birthday Honours list has been revealed with several residents across the district awarded for their contributions.
MBE
Rachel Louise Bowes, has been made a MBE for services to the community during the coronavirus pandemic under her role as assistant director for care and support, North Yorkshire County Council.
Christopher John Bentley, from Harrogate, has been made an MBE for services to business and culture.
Kathleen Shirley Clegg, from Harrogate, has been made an MBE for services to prisoners.
His classes allow those working in the industry, those hoping to get into it and some who may just have an interest to train as rail signal operators.
He said:
“I am very proud, but it was totally unexpected. I thought it was a wind-up at first. It makes me think the last 34 years and my career have been appreciated. The real reward comes from people being successful from the training I’ve given.”
Marie-Ann Jackson has been made a MBE for services to the community during the coronavirus pandemic under her role as head of Stronger Communities Programme, North Yorkshire County Council.
BEM
Colin William Gibbs, from Harrogate, will receive a BEM honour this year for voluntary service to young people. He has been one of the driving forces behind Tewit Youth Band for almost four decades.
As president of the group for 29 years, he has been part of its ambition to provide instruments, musical tuition and uniforms to all children, whatever their background. Colin and the committee are always finding new ways to raise money for the band, as well as local charities.
With the help of a private investor, Colin was able to secure a 125-year lease on a building to ensure the band can continue offering “a place for everyone”.
On receipt of his honour, Colin said:
“It was very unexpected but I am delighted. It all started when my son wanted to play a brass instrument, I started helping volunteering and working with the band.
“When my son turned 18 he left and the band was going through a hard time and they asked me to take over. I knew I couldn’t let it disappear so I got stuck in straight away.
“As a president I am there to keep it going, we sing for our supper and are always performing to raise money.”
Colin said the honour was also in recognition of the band and the “hard-working committee”. Following lockdown, Tewit Youth Band has only just started rehearsing in quartets, to comply with the rule of six, but it hopes to resume full rehearsals as soon as possible.
Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels were shocked and delighted to hear about their royal recognition as they arrived to deliver today’s hot meal service.
The Queens Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award a voluntary group can be given.
As well as receiving a crystal award and a signed certificate from the Queen, two volunteers will be chosen out of a hat to attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021.
Sue Cathwray (Right) joined by award winning volunteers.
Read more:
A champagne celebration was arranged, typically though they put other people first, and postponed cracking open a bottle until they have made their lunch deliveries.
Instead, when asked how they might celebrate their success, Mr Clarkson said,
“I’ll tell my kids, they are very proud of me doing this, they like the fact that I’m helping out. It’s a warm day so I might have a beer later in the garden.”
Sue Cawthray the CEO of Harrogate Neighbours was excited to reveal the big secret and looks forward to celebrating properly when they are able.
Harrogate meals on wheels team awarded highest honour by QueenThe Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels are going to be cracking open the champagne later today after being granted the Queens Award for Voluntary Service 2020. It’s the highest award a volunteer group can be given.
The Food Angels, which was set up by Harrogate Neighbours, has provided hot meals for the most vulnerable people in Harrogate and Ripon since 2012.
The non-profit organisation of 75 volunteers have delivered over 150 hot meals every day to the elderly as well as to those unable to prepare meals for themselves.
The Harrogate and Ripon Angels will receive a crystal award, along with a signed certificate from the Queen. Two volunteers have also been invited to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021.
Sue Cawthray the CEO of Harrogate Neighbours, said:
“We’re delighted to have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. To be recognised to this degree is testament to our incredible volunteers who work tirelessly to deliver such an important service into our community…I am so thankful to the team at Harrogate Neighbours and the volunteers who continue to selflessly risk their lives to help others.”
The Queens Award for Voluntary Service is given to volunteer groups across the UK who have carried out outstanding work in their local community. The Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels were nominated by Sarah Barry, Managing Director at Stray FM.
Related stories: