Queen honours the great and good of Lancashire

A partially sighted England footballer, the creator of Preston Larder, and a Chorley musician who wrote songs for Elvis and Tom Jones are among Lancastrians being recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
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Stephen Daley of Fulwood was awarded the MBE for services to Para Football.

The deputy head of parks and street scene at Preston City Council captained the England Partially-Sighted Football Team for 23 years, from the age of 21, and is now its Head Coach.

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He said: “It was quite a bit of a shock really. I was blown away. I was gob-smacked. Obviously football is a team game ...I didn’t even know I was nominated.”

Kay JohnsonKay Johnson
Kay Johnson

The 44-year-old was fully-sighted until the age of 12, but Stargardts Disease means he now has less than 10 per cent vision.

The award citation praised Stephen for his “inspirational nature”.

In addition to his service in the national squad, for the past five years Stephen has voluntarily worked to further the skills of elite disabled footballers from across the northwest at the PAN disability centre in Preston.

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Kay Johnson is also celebrating the award of MBE. The 55-year-old founded community interest company Preston Larder in 2015, followed by the opening of the Larder cafe in Lancaster Road in 2019.

Rev David Anderson and JasperRev David Anderson and Jasper
Rev David Anderson and Jasper

Kay, from Penwortham, said she would be accepting it on behalf of the Larder team: “It may be my name on it but it’s the Larder team that have worked hard to achieve this and I’m really proud of everyone that’s been involved.”

She was awarded her honour “for services to food nutrition and the community in Lancashire”.

She has been the driving force behind events such as Disco Soup and Feast for Peace, where food donated by supermarkets is made into new dishes.

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Her Preston Roots initiative has trained more than 50 food county champions to deliver cooking classes and Kay herself has delivered food hygiene training to 60 Syrian refugees.

Stephen Daley (right) in action for England. Image courtesy of Futsal FocusStephen Daley (right) in action for England. Image courtesy of Futsal Focus
Stephen Daley (right) in action for England. Image courtesy of Futsal Focus

She has also set up the Emergency Food Provision for Preston Group, working with Age Concern, Community Gateway Housing Association and the Foxton Centre.

She was also praised for her “Kids in the Kitchen” initiative during what would have been the Easter school holidays, sending out ingredients along with a recipe to children in more than 100 vulnerable families.

Former Longridge vicar Rev David Anderson was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the NHS during Covid-19.

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The 45 year old from Preston is chaplain with the East Lancashire NHS Hospital Trust.

Dave Holmes of BAeDave Holmes of BAe
Dave Holmes of BAe

During Covid he established “Conversation with Jasper” a therapy dog as a means for staff to talk through their experiences, he has facilitated families and patients connecting through video calls, and has devised an online training for staff to raise awareness of issues of care during the pandemic.

He said: “It is a wonderful honour and privilege to be included within the Queens Honour List and very humbling. I feel incredibly proud to part of an amazing team here at ELHT and work

alongside so many amazing colleagues. I hope that this award can be seen as a tribute to every member of staff who have equally given everything over the last few months and will

do again in the coming weeks and months.”

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Fiona Belcham from Clitheroe also gets the BEM for services to the community during Covid-19. The founder of the Ribble Valley Scrub Hub provided free PPE to the NHS and key workers during the pandemic by mobilising a team of sewers and recorded sewing videos.

Dave Holmes, manufacturing director of BAE Systems Air Sector, said he was “deeply humbled” to be awarded an OBE for services to Aerospace Manufacturing.

Fiona Belcham of ClitheroeFiona Belcham of Clitheroe
Fiona Belcham of Clitheroe

The Prestonian said: “I am lucky to have worked with some truly exceptional people who have helped create an industry in Lancashire which I believe rivals anything in the world and will endure for decades to come.”

John Barry Mason. 85, who was brought up in Coppull, is to receive an MBE for services to music.

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Mr Mason was a leading songwriter of the 1960s, writing hits sung by stars including Elvis, Tom Jones, David Esse and Rod Stewart.

He gained several gold and platinum awards for his work including five Ivor Novello Awards.

His songwriting credits include “Delilah”, “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)”, “The Last Waltz” and “There Goes My First Love”.

Margaret Bibby has also been awarded an MBE for services to the community in and around Chorley.

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Chorley Professor Cheryl Ann Lenney has been awarded an OBE for services to Nursing and Midwifery. She has more than 35 years experience in nursing and is currently chief nurse at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

Professor Steven John Broomhead, also from Chorley, has been awarded an OBE for services to Public Libraries. Currently interim chief executive at Warrington Borough Council, in 2018 he was appointed to head up a group responsible for providing leadership and support to libraries across the country.

Ann Dean has been awarded an MBE for services to Business and the community in Lancashire.

The mother-of-two from Broughton is founder of Benetimo PR and among many roles has served as chairman of the Institute of Directors North West, created a medico-legal service for the North West, is the founding co-Director of iNspire a hub for 32 grass root community charities, and in 2013 was made High Sheriff of Lancashire. She is a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire, chairman of the Blackburn Cathedral Board of Trustees, and Governor of Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School.

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She said: “I am very delighted and indeed honoured to receive an MBE. I have always enjoyed my work both in business and in the community and it is especially gratifying to know that my efforts are only made possible by the people around me.

"I am still very much involved in many projects and this Award will give me additional encouragement to keep trying to make a difference. During my career I have been inspired by many different people and I would like to thank them all for their help and support, particularly in encouraging enterprise and voluntary work in this great County of Lancashire.”

Matthew Hood, who grew up in Morecambe and Blackpool, has received an OBE.

Matthew has been awarded the honour for his role as founder and principal of Oak National Academy. Oak is an online classroom and resource hub that was rapidly created following the pandemic closing schools for most children.

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Within 10 days Matthew and a team of teachers and educational professionals launched the online classroom, providing high quality video lessons and resources for children from reception to year 10.

During the summer term, 5 million pupils took part in over 20 million lessons. It also hosted national assemblies featuring the Duchess of Cambridge, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Prime Minister and even the cast of the Lion King.

Matthew said: "It was local teachers who created my passion for education and making sure every child has the best start in life.

“When Covid forced schools to go into lockdown, I was lucky enough to work with a team of talented teachers and colleagues to create an online classroom. This honour is for that team, as without their tireless work Oak National Academy wouldn’t have been able to help children continue learning.”

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Others who are to receive a British Empire Medal are Michelle Alford from Preston, for services to Public Libraries, Gary Leslie Woods for services to the community in Preston, Joseph William Woods from Preston for services to the community in Lytham St Annes, Fylde and Wyre, Clitheroe's Susan Chapman.for services to the NHS during the Covid-19 response, and Susan Jean Hopcroft from Freckleton, a Guide Co-ordinator for West Lancashire, for voluntary service to Children and Young People.

Paul Withers, a former detective superintendent who served who served in East Lancashire for more than 20 years gets the Queen’s Police Medal.

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