Steve Hall – Greater Manchester Lieutenancy

New Year Honour’s List 2023

Mrs Diane Hawkins the Lord-Lieutenant in uniform outside Manchester Cathedral — Mrs Diane Hawkins JP LLB, the Lord-Lieutenant

The Lord-Lieutenant would like to congratulate all the Greater Manchester recipients of Honours in The King’s New Year Honour’s List. Honours are a fantastic way of thanking ordinary people doing extraordinary things and this would not be possible without the people taking the time to nominate them, whom she would also like to particularly thank. Should you know of someone who deserves to be nominated then please go to our honours website where you can find out how to do it. http://www.gmhonours.org/

The people who live in Greater Manchester and have received an Honour in the New Year List are as follows:

Knights Batchelor

The title of Knight Bachelor is a rank granted to a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not inducted as a member of one of the organised orders of chivalry; it is a part of the British honours system. Knights Bachelor are the most ancient sort of British knight. It is given to a person who has demonstrated a pre-eminent contribution in any field of activity (usually, but not exclusively, at national level), or in a capacity which will be recognised by peer groups as inspirational and significant nationally and demonstrates sustained commitment. The following person has been awarded:

Professor James Louis John APPLEBY CBE
A resident of Manchester. Professor of Psychiatry, University of Manchester and Chair, National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group. For services to Medicine and Mental Health

Order of The British Empire

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V.

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire

A Damehood is given to a person who has shown a pre-eminent contribution in any field of activity (usually, but not exclusively, at national level), or in a capacity which will be recognised by peer groups as inspirational and significant nationally and demonstrates sustained commitment. The following person has been awarded a Damehood.

Professor Robina Shahnaz SHAH MBE DL JP
A resident of Stockport. Director, Doubleday Centre for Patient Experience. For services to Patient Care

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

A CBE is given to a person who has demonstrated a prominent national role of a lesser degree, a conspicuous leading role in regional affairs through achievement or service to the community, or a highly distinguished, innovative contribution in his or her area of activity. The following people have been awarded a CBE:

Mr Peter Joseph MCGHEE
A resident of Stockport. Principal, St John Rigby Sixth Form College, Greater Manchester. For services to Further Education

Professor Linda Joyce MERRICK
A resident of Trafford. Principal, Royal Northern College of Music. For services to Music in Higher Education

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

An OBE is given to someone who has demonstrated a distinguished regional or county-wide role in any field, through achievement or service to the community including notable practitioners known nationally. The following people have been awarded and OBE:

An OBE for a female and other medals of the Order of the British Empire — An OBE for a Female Recipient

Mr Stuart Roy BENNETT
A resident of Salford. Refugee Resettlement Lead, Universal Credit Complex Needs, Department for Work and Pensions. For Public Service.

Professor Mohamed POURKASHANIAN
A resident of Trafford. Managing Director, Energy Innovation Centre, University of Sheffield. For services to Net Zero Research and to Innovation

Mr Asrar UL-HAQ DL
A resident of Rochdale. For services to the community in Greater Manchester

Members of the Order of the British Empire

An MBE is given to a person for achievement or service in and to the community which is outstanding in its field and has delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others. The following people have been awarded the MBE:

Mr Charles Frederick BANKS
A resident of Trafford. Chair, North West Wheelchair Users Group and Secretary, Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association. For services to People with Disabilities in Greater Manchester and North-West England

Mrs Gwynneth BELLMAN JP
A resident of Trafford. Magistrate. For services to the Administration of Justice and to the community in Manchester

Ms Elaine June BOUSFIELD
A resident of Manchester. Founder and lately Chief Executive, Kooth PLC. For services to Children and Young Peoples’ Mental Health

Miss Lucia Roberta Tough BRONZE
A resident of Oldham. For services to Association Football

Miss Jade Bridget CLARKE
A resident of Trafford. For services to Netball.

Ms Samantha DAVYS
A resident of Rochdale. Equality and Future Talent Manager, TalkTalk. For services to Young People and to Inclusion in Digital Industries

Mr Robert Colin ELSTONE
A resident of Stockport. For services to Sport

Mrs Stephanie HART
A resident of Oldham. End User Compute Lead, Network Rail. For services to the Railway and to Children’s Education

Mr Mohammed Wakkas KHAN DL
A resident of Manchester. Founder, Young Interfaith. For services to Charity, to Young People and to Interfaith Relations

Mr Richard James George MCAVOY
A resident of Manchester. Armed Forces Champion, Department for Work and Pensions. For Public Service

Mrs Mary MCCOURT
A resident of Wigan. Campaigner for Helen’s Law and Support After Murder and Manslaughter Merseyside. For services to Families of the Victims of Unlawful Killing

Mrs Teresa Michelle MCLAUGHLIN
A resident of Stockport. Student Engagement and Student Voice Lead, Trafford College Group, Trafford, Greater Manchester. For services to Education

Mrs Elizabeth MORLEY
A resident of Bury. For services to the community in Bolton and Bury

Mrs Shelly Jayne QUINTON-HULME
A resident of Trafford. For services to the community in Stretford

Ms Elizabeth SCOTT
A resident of Manchester. Client Engagement Director, Tech Nation. For services to the Technology Sector

Professor Charlotte Anne SKITTERALL
A resident of Trafford. Group Chief Pharmacist, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Pharmacy

Mr Robert Thompson SPLAINE
A resident of Wigan. For services to the community in Atherton, Greater Manchester and the North West

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire

A BEM is awarded to people who have contributed a very hands-on service to the community in a local geographical area. Either sustained commitment in support of local charitable or voluntary activity or innovative work that has delivered real impact in a short period (3/4 years). The following people have been awarded a BEM:

Mr Christopher Paul ASHWORTH
A resident of Tameside. Estates Manager, Ashton Sixth Form College. For services to Further Education

Mr Martyn James DAVIES
A resident of Salford. Care Home Manager, Urmston Manor. For services to Care Home Residents in Manchester

Mr John Patrick HOLT
A resident of Bolton. Committee Member, Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club. For services to Wrestling and to the community in Bolton

Mr Liam MANTON
A resident of Manchester. Co-Founder, Didsbury Gin. For services to the community in Greater Manchester during Covid-19

Mr Michael Anthony NEWMAN
A resident of Bury. Founder, Speed of Sight. For services to People with Disabilities including Visual Impairments

Mr Peter Gordon NICOL
A resident of Bury. Chair of Governors, Bury College, Bury, Greater Manchester. For services to Education

Miss Alison Jean PEEK
A resident of Salford. Co-Founder, Women’s Institute Wanderers. For services to Women’s Health in Greater Manchester during Covid-19

Mr Mark SMALLWOOD
A resident of Trafford. Co-Founder, Didsbury Gin. For services to the community in Greater Manchester during Covid-19

Investiture Ceremony December 2022

The Monastery Manchester

In a ceremony at The Monastery, Manchester, on the 15th December 2022, 8 Honour’s Recipients received their medals from The Lord-Lieutenant. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant and all the recipients’ home town Mayors were also in attendance to help and to congratulate them all.

There were 7 recipients of the BEM and also a recipient of an Honorary MBE who attended with friends and family to celebrate their fantastic achievements in the wonderful setting of the Great Nave at The Monastery.

The recipients and their guests from across Greater Manchester listened to the citations which were read out by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant and broke into applause as each of the stories were revealed and each walked forward to receive their medals from the Lord-Lieutenant.

The recipients and their stories are as follows:

Helen Caroline Victoria BEDFORD-GAY – Trafford Borough – British Empire Medal

Helen has been committed to the Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) community since receiving the devastating news that her son was diagnosed with the condition in 2009. FOP is one of the rarest, most disabling genetic conditions known to medicine imprisoning the body in a second skeleton.

Along with her husband, they set up and manage FOP Friends the only UK charity of its kind. When parents receive the diagnosis, they are often advised by the medical professionals not to search online as the results can be overwhelming and alarming, especially when first coming to terms with the news. Instead, families are signposted to Helen, recognising how much she is valued, trusted and respected. Helen then directs FOP patients and their families to the services which can help them.

Helen has worked with schools and health authorities, on behalf of families, spending hours creating individual Educational, Health and Care Plans. She liaises with teachers across the country ensuring that the condition is understood and FOP children are not disadvantaged during their educational journey. Due to its rarity, patients from across the world often get in touch with Helen to seek her advice due to her knowledge and dedication to help as many people as possible. In 2016, she founded the creative #FunFeet4FOP campaign to raise awareness and help prevent misdiagnoses. She also instigated and organised the first Family Respite Weekend dedicating a great deal of time securing funding to ensure no cost to the families. Through her charitable activities, she has led by example to build a highly connected and supportive community that has raised over £750,000 for research into the condition.

When her son was diagnosed, there was no charity, no treatment and no hope. Helen has irreversibly changed that.

Dorothy Margaret BOWKER – Wigan Borough – British Empire Medal

Dorothy had a vision for a community café and social supermarket and has been the driving force behind the Bridge at Leigh for over 5 years. It is run by thirty volunteers along with five paid staff, and provides a community café, social supermarket, wellness rooms as well as Just the Job, a programme supporting women into work.

The café opens five days a week and provides a valuable drop-in centre for people who are disadvantaged or lonely and in need of an affordable cup of tea or coffee. It has an activities programme teaching art and crafts and also provides valuable counselling services and mental health support classes.

The larger part of the charity’s work is the provision of the social supermarket. Set somewhere between a foodbank and a supermarket. For a payment of a £2 per week membership fee, people can come and buy their groceries from a very wide range of products for approximately 20% of the price of a regular supermarket. This helps many families with very little income whose children are living in food poverty. It is a source of inexpensive food with choices of what to buy offered in a non-judgemental and dignified way. Almost nothing is wasted. Through the Too Good to Go programme, surplus food can be bought for about 5% of the supermarket price to ensure very little is thrown away.

During lockdown the group packed and delivered around 100 food hampers per day both to their members and others who were in need. The 30 volunteers contribute over 20,000 hours per year to the programme and The Bridge was honoured with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service award in 2021.

Dorothy has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this critical community resource.

Pamela Ann DUXBURY – Bolton Borough – British Empire Medal

Pamela has a background in counselling and volunteered for Age UK Bolton for 5 years before volunteering at Beacon Bolton Counselling Service. She has lived in Bolton all her life and has served the community as a counsellor for over two decades. For 11 years she volunteered as Co-ordinator, leading Beacon completely unpaid. It is only latterly that she has taken on a paid role at the organisation.

Beacon provides therapeutic counselling to anyone over the age of 16 years irrespective of race, religion, gender, or sexuality. Beacon’s volunteers are very diverse in terms of age, gender and race, reflecting the diverse community it serves. Volunteers undertake a variety of roles from Counsellors, administration support, receptionists and Trustees tirelessly led by Pamela as the Service Manager. When Beacon’s new counselling suite doubled their capacity, the former Leader of Bolton said ‘Resources are stretched across our health services and the voluntary sector is stepping up to take a lot of the pressure. The work Beacon is doing shines brighter than ever for those in need and seeking support.’

Alongside the general therapy that Beacon offers, it also provides a Sexual Abuse Victims and Survivors Group giving survivors of childhood sexual abuse aged 16 or over the opportunity to work within support groups facilitated by qualified counsellors trained in sexual abuse.

In 2021 Beacon was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and were specially recognised for their work throughout the Covid Pandemic.

Pamela has had a remarkable impact in Bolton both through her counselling and leadership of Beacon by offering a lifeline to many people with nowhere to turn whilst also providing an opportunity for people to experience and consider the field of counselling as a career.

Ann Denise LONSDALE – Bolton Borough – British Empire Medal

Committed to tackling inequality in the pursuit of justice and fairness, Denise has devoted her time to the people of Bolton. She has advised, fought and campaigned for people with a wide range of problems such as poverty, homelessness, unemployment, debts and mental health.

Originally seeking help from Bolton Advice Centre 40 years ago, she became a volunteer, subsequently helping thousands of people with their benefit claims, disability claims, housing problems and more. In an unpaid managerial role, she became the driving force behind the centre and became widely known and admired in the community and by leading figures in the town, including MPs, councillors, local officials as well as charity sector and statutory body leaders.

Due to her resourcefulness and determination, she kept the centre open with meagre funding and donations, despite it facing closure many times. When it lost core funding in 2019 she worked to successfully achieve charitable status, without which, the Centre would have closed. During the pandemic it was one of the few places where disadvantaged people were still able to get help. In addition, the Centre also distributed PPE and ran a vaccine awareness program for the community and Denise also volunteered, with a small group, making scrubs for healthcare workers who desperately needed them during the pandemic.

After securing funding to employ a full-time manager, she stepped back from the role but still dedicates her time as a volunteer to those who need her most. Over the last few years, she has lost her husband through a long painful illness, for which she is now trying to raise awareness of. She has also lost friends and other volunteers.

A true community hero, it is no wonder that the Centre is referred to by many as Denise’s Centre.

Michelle Angeline MCHALE – Trafford Borough – British Empire Medal

Michelle is a long-time volunteer and Trustee at Bridging The Gap, a traditional face-to-face food bank service for the communities of Hulme, Moss Side, Whalley Range and Old Trafford.

During the Covid Pandemic this service was no longer viable, but Michelle knew that people in the community would require more support during this incredibly difficult period. She took steps to adopt a food delivery model for the food bank, enabling them to continue to serve those most in need throughout the pandemic and increase the levels of assistance to meet the unprecedented increase in demand.

During the first four months of the crisis up to July 2020, the food bank provided 1343 parcels, feeding 1903 adults and 1153 children. This represented an increase of 345% over the same period in 2019. This expanded emergency response required considerable amounts of food and Michelle worked tirelessly to ensure increased supply and coordinated and encouraged support from individuals and organisations in the community. She coordinated partnerships with a number of different local authority response hubs and local organisations including churches, homeless shelters and schools, to not only secure support for the food bank but also to provide support for other organisations in need. This included helping a newly established homeless shelter to access the same support that her food bank had been afforded.

Michelle also established a school holiday programme as part of the food bank’s offering, providing school holiday parcels including food, activity packs, educational resources and reading books, to 174 local families.

Despite the Pandemic easing, demand remains exceptionally high, and Michelle continues to go above and beyond to look after those in need in her community.

Victoria SNELL – City of Salford Borough – British Empire Medal

When she was twenty Victoria broke her leg and despite numerous surgeries it did not heal. Six years later, she asked doctors to amputate it so that she could get on with her life. After learning how to walk again she celebrated her first-year amputee anniversary by running a 5k; this is the same woman, who also held a Let’s Get Vicky Legless Party, days before her amputation. This sums up her strength of character and determination.

Since then, she has been a one-woman powerhouse, determined to succeed in life and to support others along the way. In her job as a Customer Relations Manager for Transpenine Express she constantly helps customers who have not had the best experience with the service. She leads the relationship with key industry partners and helps to manage a busy appeal process and caseload volumes, making sure customers’ appeals are resolved correctly.

The rail industry’s reputation has taken quite a pummelling. It has also had to meet many challenges head on, ranging from major timetable changes, extreme weather conditions, the impact of the Manchester Terror Attack and not least the Covid Pandemic, affecting customers and their travel plans. Victoria has, almost single-handedly at times, managed to keep everything afloat and regularly delivers over and above to help both customers and colleagues.

Alongside this she is heavily involved in supporting others, not only throughout the wider rail industry, but also via her social media networks. Following the years of pain that she endured, she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety but despite this, is passionate about inspiring and helping others through the many talks, presentations and media interviews that she has been involved with.

Victoria has been instrumental in providing wellbeing and mental health support throughout the business and externally.

Vincent John THOMPSON – Tameside Borough – British Empire Medal

As a founding member and Co-Owner of F.C. United of Manchester, Vincent committed himself to serve the club and the wider community. He is the Community Liaison Officer for the club and assists as part of the matchday workforce. Since the club’s inception he has worked on various projects to improve the community. In his role within the club, he has established projects designed to enhance mental welfare, social inclusion, employability and reduction of social isolation.

At the onset of the first Covid Pandemic lockdown, Vincent identified that many households were having difficulty accessing food. He gained permission from the club to use the football ground as a food hub for the collection of food and other essential household items, as well as the picking and packing of these for delivery. He formed a partnership with the City Council and the North Manchester Business Network and amassed a team of over 40 volunteers all within the first 2 weeks. Volunteer packers assembled the food parcels and a separate team of volunteer drivers delivered the food parcels and made regular check-ins on those who were using the service. Vincent worked most days of the week at the Food Hub and it was also utilised to support other food banks in the surrounding areas.

In addition to food deliveries, he also arranged support for more vulnerable individuals and families who had been particularly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This included the sourcing and delivery of items such as bedding and winter clothing.

Vincent’s passion for helping others and doing community work including anti-racism, youth engagement and combatting homelessness is second nature to him. He continues to forge relationships with other organisations to help him achieve all his goals.

Marie Margaret STOCK – Stockport Borough – Honorary Member of The British Empire

As Assistant Principal for Student Support and Experience at Manchester College, Marie faces the immense challenge of supporting 20,000 students across 9 sites, many of whom are disadvantaged and vulnerable. She plays an integral role in supporting these students daily by leading 90 members of staff in the student support team.

Marie identified problems in the college and implemented strategies to wrap services around the most vulnerable pupils in incredibly complex situations, often involving foreign national students, refugees and asylum seekers. She has developed personalised strategies for young people considered very high risk, such as organising the timetables for those that are vulnerable to gang crime so that there were no members of rival gangs on the campus at the same time. This helped to re-engage some of the highest risk young people in the college, including students that have been involved in counter-terrorism offences.

The success of Marie’s work is exemplified by the improved Ofsted rating to ‘Good’ commending the “strong focus on ensuring that students are safe” and providing “highly effective support for those students who are most at risk”.

Acknowledging her work, she was offered the Education Lead role in a newly established Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit. Starting in 2019, it involved looking at how to reduce serious violence across the education sector in Greater Manchester. In a relatively short space of time, Marie made a real impact developing an after-school programme aimed at keeping young people away from community-based violence and developing protocols for schools to deal with fixed term exclusions, ensuring young people remain safe whilst excluded.

Marie has had a hugely positive impact on the communities of Greater Manchester.

Retiring Deputy Lieutenant, John Willis

John Willis CBE DL DLitt BA(Econ) CPFA

The Lord-Lieutenant would like to thank John who has recently retired from his commission. He has given 16 years of exceptional service to the Lieutenancy and communities across Greater Manchester. Thank you for your service John.

John was Chief Executive of Salford City Council from 1993 until his retirement in 2006. In this capacity he was also Clerk to the Greater Manchester Police Authority.

Prior to being appointed Chief Executive, he was City Treasurer at Salford for seven years.

John studied at the University of Manchester and gained the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Economic and Social Studies and subsequently qualified as an accountant in 1971. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and was an examiner of the institute for many years.

John led the Council officer team that secured funding for the Lowry, one of the twelve Landmark Millennium projects and the National Millennium Project for the Arts. He oversaw much of the development of Salford Quays and the regeneration of Salford.

In 2002 he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa from the University of Salford and in 2006 was appointed a Commander of the British Empire for services to local government in Salford.

Formerly, he was a Trustee of the Lowry and a Council Member of the University of Salford. He is currently Deputy Chair of Salford Royal NHS Hospital Trust and a Trustee and Distributor of the Booth Charities in Salford.

John was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester County in 2006. John has given 16 excellent years of service to the Lieutenancy retiring on 13th December 2022.

Commander (SCC) Janet Evans MBE DL RNR

The Lord-Lieutenant was deeply saddened to hear that Janet had sadly passed away whilst she was being treated at hospital on Thursday 3rd November. Janet was a valued and active part of the Lieutenancy and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her, especially her colleagues and friends from the Lieutenancy Tameside District Committee.

Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Janet was educated at Broadoak Primary, then Heartshead Secondary School before starting work for the Co-operative Insurance Society in 1975. She undertook a variety of roles culminating in that of Team Manager and Business Analyst before retiring in 2009 to devote more time to the Sea Cadets.

Janet pictured at the opening of the Macmillan Centre at Tameside Hospital with the Mayor of Tameside — Janet representing the Lord-Lieutenant at the opening of Tameside Macmillan Centre in 2021

Janet joined the Sea Cadets, at Tameside, in 1975 rising to Third Officer where, in 1980, she was appointed in command of the Girls Nautical Training Contingent of the Sea Cadets. Moving on to the North East Lancashire District in in 1987, she was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1994 on her appointment as District Officer. In 2006 she became the Senior Staff Officer for the North West of England and was promoted to Commander in 2009.

In addition to her routine responsibilities with the Sea Cadets, Janet assisted with the organization of and led the Sea Cadet arena displays at the Manchester Military Tattoo. She later went on to support the Commonwealth Games in Manchester where she took an active part in coordinating the various Sea Cadet elements involved in the welcoming and opening ceremonies and in particular the flag raising.

Janet presents a Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund Cheque to the Mayor of Tameside for her charities. — Janet presenting a Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund cheque, on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant, to the Mayor of Tameside for her charities in 2021

Janet was made a Deputy Lieutenant in 2012 and received an MBE in 2013. She was a very active Officer of the Lieutenancy, representing the Lord-Lieutenant, across Tameside. She served a term as the District Committee Chair helping the Lord-Lieutenant in her duties by promoting Honours and Queen’s Awards across the Borough amongst many other duties. Janet described herself as “not very photogenic” but always looked fabulously smart in her uniform, which she was always very proud to wear.

The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Lieutenancy are with her husband, Mark, and all her family at this extremely sad time.

Retiring Deputy Lieutenants

The Lord-Lieutenant would like to thank the following Deputy Lieutenants who have recently retired from their commission. All have given exceptional service to the Lieutenancy and communities across Greater Manchester. Thank you for your service.

Colonel Martin Newman MBE DL FCIPR

Born in 1947, Martin Newman was educated at North Manchester Grammar School and Ashton School of Art. He has spent his career in marketing and public relations, is a Fellow and former regional chairman of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and former associate lecturer in PR at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is presently a freelance PR Consultant specialising in the defence industry and charity and not-for-profit sectors.

Martin started his parallel military career as an officer with Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force, later transferring to the 5th Bn The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers posted to the Army’s media operations organisation. He then returned to the ACF where he founded and commanded the national ACF Public Relations Unit, later moving to the Youth and Cadet Policy Unit at the Directorate of Reserve Forces and Cadets at the Ministry of Defence as a special advisor. He was assigned to help the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and the Government of Gibraltar form a cadet organisation and is now Colonel Cadets of the Gibraltar Cadet Force and has been establishing an Alliance between the cadets in Gibraltar and Greater Manchester.

Elected to the Jewish Committee for HM Forces he became vice chairman in 2007, chairman a year later and served until 2018, also acting as a trustee of its associated charity. During this time, he was instrumental in the re-introduction of military Jewish Chaplains in uniform and the provision of kosher operational rations for Jewish personnel.

He was elected National Chairman of the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen & Women in 2017 and has led the process of rebranding and modernisation of the charity.

He is a member of the Trustees and Management Board of the Fusiliers Museum Collection, Lancashire.

A member of the North West Reserve Forces and Cadets Association he holds the Cadet Forces Medal with four Clasps. He was made an MBE in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his voluntary work for armed forces personnel.

Michael Greenwood Esq. CBE DL

Michael graduated from Leeds University in Maths and Philosophy in 1968. He worked in the food industry in quality control before going to Bradford University Management Centre to study for a Masters Degree. There he became interested in local government and joined a small research unit which was looking at the reorganisation of local government which was due to happen in 1974.

In that year he joined Leeds City Council where he held a number of increasingly senior management positions, including working as assistant to the Chief Executive. In 1984 he became Chief Executive and County Treasurer of Powys County Council in Wales and took up the post of Chief Executive of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council in 1990. Tameside Council achieved excellent status in the Comprehensive Performance Assessment. He left Tameside in 2003 to take up the post of Director of Local Government Practice (North West) for (then) ODPM. This was concerned with improvement and performance across local government in the Region. Since leaving that post in late 2006, Michael has been Chairman of Stockport PCT.

He is a Chartered Public Finance Accountant. He has been a Director of Manchester Training and Enterprise Council, Manchester Enterprises and the Hallé Concerts Society. He was also a Governor of Tameside College of Further Education and a non-executive director of Tameside & Glossop Acute NHS Trust.

Michael was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in 2007.

Philip J Horton Esq. DL

Phil was born in 1947 and was educated at Xaverian College, Manchester before studying at the then Manchester Polytechnic Law School. He was articled with Wilding Earley and Pegge and qualified as a Solicitor in 1972; he is currently a Partner in Hague Lambert Solicitors.

Phil has a number of interests but is passionate about the Scouting Movement. He became a Scout in 1959 and has held numerous positions in the county such as District Commissioner, County Commissioner and is currently County chairman of Greater Manchester East Scout County, a position he has held since 2002.

Phil is Chairman of the Board of Governors of two Primary Schools in Stockport and Manchester and is a Member of Education The Appeals Panel for Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council dealing with admissions and exclusions from schools.

Phil has been married to Maureen since 1972 and he was made a Deputy Lieutenant in 2004.

Ms Susan K. Hodgkiss CBE DL

Sue was born in Bolton in 1950 and is currently the Managing Director of the family owned Steelwork Fabricator, William Hare Group Limited. Her company has an annual turnover of £180M, with 1300 employees that include the India Office and UAE fabrication facility.

William Hare Limited is a significant supporter of the Arts, Healthcare, Homeless, Education, military and ex-service people’s charities and the disabled.

Sue has made a significant contribution to the life of the community over the years. She is currently President of Emmaus, Bolton and Patron of the Association of Emmaus North West; she has been a member since 1999 having served on the committee for three years. Sue is Patron of the Octagon Theatre in Bolton and served as the Appeals Director of the rescue package that ensured theatre remained operative. For three years she served on the Board of the Royal Exchange and for the past two years as a member of the Board of Chetham’s School of Music. Sue has also served as a member of the Standards & Remuneration Committee for Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council and has been a Director Bolton Training Group, a Governor and the Director of the Bursary Appeals at Bolton School.

Sue was made a Deputy Lieutenant in 1999, High Sheriff of Greater Manchester in the year 2003 – 2004 and was honoured with a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2009.

Amongst her interests Sue lists the Theatre, sailing, game and clay pigeon shooting, skiing, music, tennis and salmon fishing. From 1981 – 83 she represented Great Britain in Clay Pigeon Shooting in the European Championships in Moscow, and the Grand Prix in Belgium, France, Spain.

Platinum Jubilee Tree of Trees Gifting Ceremony

The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a UK-wide tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. The QGC initiative has been extended to the end of the planting season in March 2023, to give people an opportunity to plant trees to honour Her Majesty.

Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the QGC “Tree of Trees” sculpture sought to put the importance of trees at the heart of this historic milestone to celebrate Her Majesty, who planted over 1,500 trees all over the world throughout her 70-year reign.

Children preparing a tree to go onto the Tree of Trees sculpture — Children preparing a tree to go onto the Tree of Trees Sculpture

During the summer, the trees were cared for by Barcham’s Nursery ahead of distribution at the start of the planting season this month.

The trees have been gifted evenly across the UK in proportion to the population, with each county receiving at least one tree. Greater Manchester received 12 trees. Deputy Lieutenants from each Borough suggested worthy recipients from across the County and The Lord-Lieutenant selected 12 groups to receive the special trees. Joined by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, High Sheriff, the Deputy Lieutenants and the Mayor’s of each Borough, the Lord-Lieutenant gifted them to the groups at a ceremony at the University of Bolton Stadium, the home of Bolton Wanderers FC.

The Lord-Lieutenant opens the ceremony for the gifting of the Tree of Trees — The Lord-Lieutenant opens the Tree of Trees Gifting Ceremony

The Lord-Lieutenant is very much looking forward to attending the tree planting ceremonies at each of the 12 venues.

The fabulous groups were as follows:

Bolton

Fortalice
Fortalice has been providing frontline services since 1977 for those affected by domestic abuse and violence. A well-respected charity, they are proud recipients of QAVS. They have grown from a 2 room Refuge to the current purpose built 22-unit building housing 22 women and their children. They also have an Outreach Support Centre providing advice, counselling, support and training.

Bury

Age UK Bury
This charity provides a lifeline within the communities of Bury. It provides support to those that are lonely, those suffering with age related illness or just unable to apply for grants or services for any reason. During this last year, they supported hundreds of individuals each week, in person or on the phone, helping them sort out problems, or providing much needed activities. Their Information and Advice Service, in the last 12 months alone, has responded to 1,800 calls for help. They have also supported older people to claim over £1.6 million pounds in benefits

The Heathlands Village
The Manchester Jewish Federation, known as Heathlands, is a leading Jewish social care charity. Situated in Bury, Greater Manchester, it serves the local community in many ways. Specialist services include residential and nursing care, supported independent living, hospital discharge, end of life care, a trailblazing dementia unit, adult and family social work. They also offer community care, outreach and support for all ages.

Manchester

Friends of Sackville Gardens
Sackville Gardens is a small park in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village The Friends Group work with the Council and local communities to keep the Gardens as a green space that all can use and value. The Gardens are laid out with walks, lawns and flower beds for public use. The gardens feature memorials and space to reflect. Memorials include The Beacon of Hope, the UK’s only permanent memorial for people who lost their lives to HIV or AIDS.

Oldham

MAHDLO Youth Zone
Mahdlo provide opportunities for over 3000 young people in a very deprived area, 7 days a week. Supporting the environment is one of the key elements they engage the youngsters in. They have outside garden areas where they grow their own veg. Street parties were held to recognise the Queens Platinum Jubilee and to have a tree planted in the area would be a great boost for this deprived area of Oldham.

Rochdale

Rochdale in Bloom
Rochdale in Bloom is a community based, volunteer led organisation dedicated to brightening up Rochdale for residents and visitors alike.
Since 2010 they have devoted their efforts to building community links, tackling gaps in social infrastructure and creating a green environment for Rochdale residents to take pride and get involved in.

Salford

Buile Hill Mansion Association
Buile Hill Mansion Association is a charity which has put the heart back into Buile Hill Park. The park had no major council funding, and the park and its Mansion had fallen into disrepair. It is located in one of Salford’s most challenging areas. The BHMA have worked hard to restore the community use of the Park which had been abandoned to drug users and vandals. They have built a sculpture trail; organised community events and they have planted 130 trees for the QGC. When they advertised for people to help plant the trees, 150 volunteers from the community turned up.

Stockport

The CMA Welfare Trust
CMA was established in 2004 and were worthy recipients of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2019. Their focus is to serve the Muslim and non-Muslim community in the context of cohesion, interfaith and mutual collaboration to meet the wider needs of a changing population in terms of health, education, mental well-being and social care. The internal and external impact of being awarded a tree will be exceptional and warmly received.

Tameside

Hattersley Community Big Garden Project
In three years, this dedicated group of volunteers have taken what was a rundown and neglected site and transformed it into a little oasis at the heart of their local community. Hattersley is one of the 20% most deprived and unhealthiest districts in England and where health is lower than the English average. The aim of this group of volunteers is therefore, to better the lives of their community through gardening and fresh air, whilst creating a self-sustainable area for all to enjoy.

Trafford

Friends of Worthington Park
The Friends of Worthington Park are a voluntary group established to work with Trafford Council and other partners to safeguard and improve the facilities of this local park. Once again, this year they have been awarded the Green Flag status. This 16-acre park is very much used and loved by members of the public. Three sets of main gates were installed to mark the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.

G-Force
The Broomwood Estate in Greater Manchester ranks in the top tier of multiple deprivation. For 23 years local people have worked together to alleviate hardship, transforming the lives of individuals and families in their community. Led by local couple Paul and Tina Huxley, they are ‘GForce’, a community charity with hundreds of local volunteers. They find education and employment for the socially exclude

Wigan

The Bridgers
This exceptional group of volunteers undertake environmental, pastoral, social and educational initiatives within Howe Bridge, an area of multiple deprivation.
This inclusive group unites all people and groups within the village including residents (all generations), church, school, sports clubs, environmental group, and social clubs for the common good of their community. Formed in 1998 the group took over a derelict piece of land, encouraged volunteers from all walks of life, and turned it into a beautiful and much-loved community garden named Colliers Corner in honour of the village’s proud mining heritage.

Visit to Willow Wood Hospice

The Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Diane Hawkins, with The Mayor and Mayoress of Tameside, and the Chief Executive, Trustees and Patrons of Willow Wood Hospice — The Lord-Lieutenant, with The Mayor and Mayoress of Tameside, and the Chief Executive, Trustees and Patrons of Willow Wood Hospice

To coincide with National Hospice Care Week, the Lord-Lieutenant visited Willow Wood Hospice in Tameside to tour, meet and thank the staff and volunteers for their wonderful work and to place an engraved stone, in memory of Queen Elizabeth ll, in their Memory Pool and Fountain. She was joined on the visit by The Mayor and Mayoress of Tameside and the Chief Executive, Trustees and Patrons of the Trust.

Willow Wood Hospice is an adult Hospice providing specialist palliative care for patients with life limiting illnesses, both cancer and non-cancer diagnosis. They provide care, free of charge, and with patients, families and their carers are at the centre of everything they do. 8 out of 10 patients are cared for by money raised by donations given to them. Over the years, they have had many requests from families who would like to place a tribute to their loved ones in their gardens. However, they didn’t have the space for benches or for trees to be planted in their honour and so created the Memory Pool and Fountain where Memory Stones can be placed.

The Lord-Lieutenant and Vice Lord-Lieutenant placing a memory stone engraved with The Queen's name into the memory pool at Willow Wood Hospice — The Lord-Lieutenant and Vice Lord-Lieutenant placing a memory stone engraved with The Queen’s name into the memory pool at Willow Wood Hospice

The Chair of Trustees gave a speech in which he said the Hospice was honoured and delighted to host the Lord-Lieutenant and gave an insight into what the Hospice does and the challenges it faces. He also paid tribute to the late Queen for her lifetime of public service. The Lord-Lieutenant then responded, thanking them and acknowledging their Queen’s Award for Voluntary service in 2016. They have over 600 volunteers working in a huge variety of functions and saving them over a £1M in wages. She said, “I am very impressed by the dedication and commitment shown by the staff and how they work symbiotically with all the volunteers”.

Mrs Sharman Birtles, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant holding a note about what Hospice Care Means to her. It reads Love. — Mrs Sharman Birtles, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant shows what Hospice Care means to her.

Mark Llewellin, The Vice Chair of Trustees, was also part of the team that welcomed the Lord-Lieutenant. Mark has been involved with Willow Wood for over 20 years; his late partner, the actor Roy Barraclough MBE was the first Patron. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Sharman Birtles, who is a current Patron was also present at the event.

The Death of Queen Elizabeth II

21st April 1926 – 8th September 2022
Reigned as Monarch from 1952 until 2022

The Lord-Lieutenant was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of The Queen. It was a day of great sadness for Greater Manchester, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. It was akin to the passing of the Head of a worldwide family of over 2½ billion people. It was an extraordinarily long reign; the longest of any British Sovereign and an outstanding example of service both in wartime and peacetime.

Since Greater Manchester was formed in 1974, Queen Elizabeth visited 28 times, visiting 74 different venues. She visited 9 times on her own and 19 times with her loving husband, The Duke of Edinburgh. Her first visit was in June 1977 and her last visit was in July 2021.

Queen Elizabeth speaking to members of the community from across Greater Manchester. — The Queen speaking to members of the community from across Greater Manchester at Manchester Cathedral

The most recent visit in July 2021 was to Coronation Street for their 60th Anniversary and Manchester Cathedral to mark the 600th Anniversary Celebration of the Collegiate Church. At the Cathedral she met groups of people from across the North West who were influential or had done extraordinary work within their local communities. Her Majesty wished to meet those who were very much hands on.

In 1992 she officially opened the Metrolink taking a ride on a tram to passer-by’s surprise. She met volunteers and staff during the Commonwealth Games in 2002 and attended the Squash and Hockey events. Along with the Duke of Edinburgh she came to Greater Manchester in March 2012 for her Diamond Jubilee, opening the Central University Hospital, visiting Children’s BBC (whilst the Duke visited Salford University) had lunch at Manchester town hall and then attended the Urban Garden party at Manchester Central (Greater Manchester’s spin on a royal garden party). Tens of thousands of people saw her, either at the hospital, lining the streets of Manchester and Salford, outside the town hall or in Manchester Central.

Following the Manchester Bomb in 2017 she came, and at least temporarily lifted everyone’s spirits, by visiting first responders, staff at the MRI and those injured and being treated.

The Queen was also represented at visits to over 1100 organisations or venues across Greater Manchester by other members of the Royal Family.

The Lord-Lieutenant sent her Condolences to all the members of the Royal Family, looks back with gratitude and looks forward to offering her support and loyalty to The King.

Veterans’ Afternoon Tea in Wigan

Forces’ entertainer Annie Riley singing the Queen's favourite songs to North West Veterans — Forces’ entertainer Annie Riley belting out a song

The Lord-Lieutenant was represented by Melanie Bryan OBE DL at a fabulous, nostalgic event at Whelley Ex-serviceman’s Club in Wigan on Wednesday 31st August held by The Not Forgotten Charity. Along with a traditional and delicious afternoon tea the veterans were treated to a sing along. For the Platinum Jubilee Year the charity had approached Buckingham Palace for a list of the Queen’s favourite songs, and these were belted out by forces’ entertainer Annie Riley, supported by an entertainment team.

Since 1920 The Not Forgotten charity has supported veterans with disabilities or illness, and wounded service personnel through a tailored and varied programme of events. They support over 10,000 individuals each year to improve their physical and mental health, address isolation and loneliness and promote a sense of community and balance. This enables them and their families to live a happier and more confident life. Their social activities, challenges, peer support and practical support is varied and typically includes an annual Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, an annual Christmas Party at St James’ Palace; adaptive skiing, trekking and alpine canoeing; respite holidays; concerts in care homes; outings to sporting events such as Ascot, Twickenham and Wimbledon; holiday grants; providing televisions and licences to those confined to their homes; and providing tablets and laptops to those who are digitally isolated. Their Patron is The Princess Royal.

Veterans pictured with Deputy Lieutenant, Melanie Bryan OBE DL, The Mayor of Wigan and her Consort and Wigan Council's lead member for Armed Forces — Deputy Lieutenant, Melanie Bryan OBE DL, with NW Veterans and The Mayor of Wigan, her Consort and Wigan Council’s lead member for Armed Forces.

This was one of their regular afternoon teas around the country. It was attended by veterans from across the North West, primarily Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. Alongside Melanie, the Mayor of Wigan, Councillor Marie Morgan; her Consort, Councillor Clive Morgan; and Councillor Yvonne Klieve who is the Wigan Council lead member for Armed Forces attended and supported the event.

Award of Honorary MBE to former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton

Dr Kondal Reddy Kandadi, former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, was presented with an honorary MBE at a Graduation ceremony on Friday 15 July.

Professor George Holmes DL, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton representing the Lord-Lieutenant presents Dr Kandadi, former Deputy Vice Chancellor, with his honorary MBE — Professor Holmes presents Dr Kondal Reddy Kandadi with his Honorary MBE

Professor George E Holmes DL, Vice Chancellor of the University, in his capacity as a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and acting on behalf of the Lord-lieutenant, awarded the special honour, in a first for a British university.

Dr Kandadi has remained a citizen of India throughout his time in Bolton and last June decided to return to lead the development of a major new education project in his home town.

He has continued his connections with the institution by offering Bolton higher education and research programmes as part of his exciting new project.

Dr Kandadi, who studied as a post-graduate student at the University of Bolton, gaining his PhD Degree, rose through the ranks over the last 15 years to become Deputy Vice Chancellor.

Dr Kondal Reddy Kandadi holding his Honorary MBE — Dr Kandadi with his Honorary MBE

After he was presented with the MBE, he said: “I have had the privilege of working with so many incredible people over the last 20 years. I would like to pay tribute to every one of them for their support and trust.”

Professor George E Holmes DL, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, presented the award at the Albert Halls in Bolton Town Hall.

He said: “Kondal progressed through a number of ranks to being the Deputy Vice Chancellor and it is in that capacity that he has been presented for this award for his services to education, his marvellous contribution to this University but also to health and his work developing the Bolton College of Medical Sciences.”

As he presented Kondal with the award, Professor Holmes added: “It is in recognition of his valuable service that Her Majesty the Queen has appointed you to be an Honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

“It is with great pleasure that I, on behalf of Her Majesty, present you with the badge of the Order and congratulate you most sincerely.”