Champions of education, young people and disability sport are among those from our community recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, released last night.
Hitchin’s Harinder Pattar, head of the Heathland School in the west London borough of Hounslow, has been appointed OBE for services to education.
NSPCC volunteer Norma Alcock – from Great Wymondley, near Hitchin – has been saluted with an MBE for services to vulnerable children.
And Tony Gearing, who founded the Young People of the Year or ‘YOPEY’ awards in 2005, has also been made an MBE.
Tony started the awards in his home town of Royston before expanding them to Stevenage and Bishop’s Stortford in 2005, North Herts in 2006 and the whole county in 2010.
He now runs the YOPEYs in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, with more held further afield.
He said: “I haven’t achieved this alone. This MBE is for all the young people who have taken part in YOPEYs, whether or not they went on to be shortlisted for one of our lavish awards ceremonies. They are all winners.
“It is also for all the friends I roped in to help – especially members of Royston Round Table – and for my wife Jo, who keeps my nose to the grindstone and gives me some of my best ideas.”
Those receiving British Empire Medals include Biggleswade’s Ken Harvey, responsible for children with disabilities at Central Bedfordshire Council, who has been recognised for services to children and young people.
There are also BEMs for Andree Falla from Stotfold – for services to the Girl Guides and other charities – and Letchworth’s Rosalind Cramp, for services to disability sport across Hertfordshire.
Stevenage and North Herts Athletics Club secretary Norma Harris said: “Disability sport in Hertfordshire has benefitted for many years from the dedication and time Ros Cramp has given to young people in Hertfordshire.
“Monday evenings throughout the year Ros can be found at Stevenage and North Herts Athletic Club encouraging athletes, coaches and volunteers to engage in athletics.
“We are delighted that Ros has been recognised in the honours list.”
Emergency personnel recognised in the honours list include Herts police deputy chief constable Michelle Dunn, who has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service.
Michelle said: “I am both delighted and honoured to be recognised in this way. This award is not just about my contribution to policing, it’s about the talented individuals and teams I have had the pleasure of working with over the years, who have shared the same passion and values about public service and helped me get the job done. “
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