A community pharmacist, the driving force behind Spartans Community Football Academy, a voluntary sector leader and the founders of SiMBA and Street Soccer are among the Edinburgh folk to receive New Year Honours announced yesterday.
Pat Armstrong, formerly manager at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre and now Chief Executive of Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Associations, receives an OBE for services to voluntary organisations. Craig Graham, chair and visionary of The Spartans Community Football Academy, is awarded an MBE for services to football and the community in Edinburgh, while Sally Arnison of Barnton Pharmacy and Travel Clinic receives her MBE for services to healthcare and the community in Edinburgh. There’s an MBE too for David Duke, founder of Street Soccer Scotland and an MBE for Sara Fitzsimmons, who co-founded and now directs SiMBA (Simpsons Memory Box Appeal) to support bereaved families at the Simpsons Maternity Ward at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.
The list includes people who have given their lifetimes to supporting others. Among a wealth of people who have given sustained service to others, two recipients stand out for the length of their contribution. Both are 101 years old: Lt Col. Mordaunt Cohen receives an MBE for his services to Second World War education and Helena Jones receives a BEM for her services to young people and the community in Brecon, Powys. At 18 years old, Lucia Mee is the youngest person on the list. She receives a BEM for services to promoting public awareness about organ donation.
Awards include a knighthood for author Michael Morpurgo, a damehood for businesswoman Vivian Hunt, a knighthood for musician Richard Starkey aka Ringo Starr, a knighthood for singer-songwriter Barry Gibb, a damehood for dancer Darcey Bussell, a damehood for Cathy Warwick, outgoing Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, a damehood for microscopist Professor Pratibha Gai, a damehood for theatre producer Rosemary Squire, a CMG for former astronaut Helen Sharman, a CBE for author Jilly Cooper, a CBE for Head of Women’s Cricket Clare Connor, a CBE for DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis, a CBE for actor Hugh Laurie, a CBE for ex-British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, an OBE for PR consultant Lynne Franks, an OBE for England’s Women’s Cricket Team captain Heather Knight, an MBE for hip hop artist Richard Cowie aka Wiley, and an MBE for Paralympian athlete Stefanie Reid.
Following the centenary year of the Order of the British Empire and the Order of the Companions of Honour, this honours list continues to demonstrate the breadth of service given by people from all backgrounds and ethnicities.
In total 1,123 people have received an award:
- 981 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level: 318 at BEM, 452 at MBE and 211 at OBE
- 70% of the recipients are people who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity
- 551 women are recognised in the List, representing 49% of the total
- 9.2% of the successful candidates come from a BAME background
- 5% of the successful candidates consider themselves to have a disability (under the Equality Act 2010)
Scottish Secretary David Mundell has passed on his congratulations to Scottish honourees: “I am pleased to see the New Year Honours 2018 recognise some of Scotland’s most deserving volunteers, community leaders and public figures.
“From the achievements of prominent sporting greats such as Mark Beaumont to the inspirational local heroes of our communities whose tireless dedication, commitment and compassion benefit so many across the length and breadth of Scotland, it is right that we mark their dedication and commitment.
“I congratulate each and every recipient on their award – they truly deserve their recognition today and our thanks and praise for their contribution.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also paid tribute to more than 100 Scottish recipients in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
There are Knighthoods for the Very Rev Professor Iain Torrance for services to Higher Education and Theology and Professor John Curtice for services to the Social Sciences and Politics. Lady Susan Rice CBE will receive a Damehood for services to Business, the Arts and Charity in Scotland.
Among those to become Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) are Ben Thomson, for services to Arts and Culture in Scotland, James Martin for services to the Scottish Public Sector and Lesley McAra, for services to Criminology. Those receiving an OBE include Lesley Sawers, for services to Business and Equality, and Derek Bell for services to Unscheduled Care and Quality Improvement. Scots receiving an MBE include James Copeland (Cosmo) for services to Drama and the longstanding Scotland National Rugby Team Doctor, James Robson for services to Rugby.
Chief Superintendant, Barry McEwan and Superintendant, Lesley Clark will receive the Queen’s Police Medal. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service firefighter, Gordon Brown, will accept the Queen’s Fire Service Medal and Mark Treherne, Manager with East of Scotland Special Operations Response Team, at the Scottish Ambulance Service, will receive the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal.
The First Minister said: “The Queen’s New Year Honours list illustrates the achievements of many exceptional people from across Scotland who have shown outstanding service and dedication. From those who work in the field of education and business, medicine and mental health, to those who promote our country on the world’s sporting stage and on screen, the Honours are a fitting way of celebrating their work.
“I also want to extend my congratulations to emergency service personnel who have been awarded The Queen’s Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals. Our emergency services deserve our continued gratitude for helping to keep people and communities across Scotland safe, every day of the year.”
For the full Honours list, go to this page.
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