Presentation of Honours Awards
At a lunchtime ceremony, held on Monday 13 October at Bowcliffe Hall, the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe, presented honours awards to deserving members of the public.
The awards were announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and included 17 members of the public in the county, who received the British Empire Medal.
The British Empire Medal (BEM) rewards a sustained, local contribution or innovative, high-impact work in the community and, on the day, the Lord-Lieutenant presented the award to 16 of the 17 recipients from the region.
The recipients of the British Empire Medal were (in alphabetical order):
- Barbara Brook for 26 years’ service as a school caretaker at Lowerhouses Church of England (VC) Junior, Infant and Early Years School in Huddersfield;
- Gordon Cooper for his long-standing commitment to the provision and development of junior cricket in west Yorkshire;
- Jack Greenwood for lifetime volunteering – 55 years – at the Denholme Cricket Club
- Revd Brian Gregory has devoted the majority of his spare time selflessly founding the Friendship Foundation (UK-Romania) in 2000 to raise the awareness of the poverty and social deprivation in Romania as well as raising nearly half a million pounds for worthy causes in the country.
- Simon Jarrold has been an active and enthusiastic supporter for many charities, raising large amounts of money as well as spending time organising, arranging and promoting charities;
- Alan Jowett has recently celebrated 33 years’ service with BT/Openreach, becoming one of the company’s star performers and many communities have benefited from enhanced network connectivity as a result;
- Carol Moran, who was sadly unable to attend the presentation ceremony, has been a champion of her local community in Normanton and instrumental in helping the people of the town retain and grow their community spirit through her involvement in a numerous local initiatives;
- Habiban Nisa Zaman has worked to bring together women from all backgrounds to support and encourage them to take a greater role in Kirklees;
- June Perkin set up the allotment garden project, called The Growing Zone, designed to help children and adults with special needs and learning difficulties to learn about fun of gardening in a safe and friendly environment;
- Yasvender Rehill has been working as a Community Engagement Field Officer with West Yorkshire Police for the last five years and in this time he has built strong links with all of his local communities.
- Mary Rowe has been a keen supporter and fundraiser for the NSPCC organising swimming lessons for young children increasing their awareness of the dangers helping them stay safe on holiday;
- Graham Smith has spent nearly 40 years undertaking charitable work with young people through the Scouts Association in Huddersfield and as well as being a Venture Scout Leader, he has held a number of warranted appointments in the Huddersfield South West Scout District;
- Monica Walker is the Manager of Garforth Neighbourhood Elders Team, which serves the 13 villages of East Leeds providing support to people over the age of 60 and their carers;
- Alan Wintersgill has supported and contributed to the local community in Bradford through his own accountancy practice, in particular setting up a group of ambassadors for the Bradford Marie Curie Hospice and raising in excess of £150,000;
- Susan Yardley has made a huge difference to all those attending school on a daily basis, often going above and beyond her duties as a school crossing patrol officer;
- Marjory Young has been a tireless and enthusiastic Chair of Governors for the Kirk Smeaton Church of England Primary School since 2008 and as well as being a volunteer teacher she as undertaken numerous voluntary activities, including considerable fundraising;
- Abu Zafar is the founder of the Orient Press, a leading manufacturer of Asian- and English-style stationery based in Bradford, and has been a regular contributor to charitable causes in the city.
At the awards ceremony, the Lord-Lieutenant congratulated the recipients and said that the British Empire Medal was presented to recognise those that had given “outstanding service in their local communities”.
“Members of the public nominated the people here today,” said Dr Roscoe, “and these nominations are subject to a rigorous process before an award is given. I read all the citations myself and I was considerably moved by what I read. Your tireless effort in your voluntary giving has made a huge impact in the community and has improved the quality of life for so many people.”
In addition to the British Empire Medal presentations, the Lord-Lieutenant also confirmed the appointment of three new Deputy Lieutenants. The three were Mr Jas Athwal, Major Stephen Boardman and Mr Balbir Panesar.
Official photography of the awards can be viewed in the Lieutenancy Events gallery section.