Steve Hall – Page 5 – Greater Manchester Lieutenancy

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

It was today announced that his Royal Highness Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh had passed away. It is a day of great sadness for Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family and we offer to them the sincerest condolences from all of us at the Greater Manchester Lieutenancy.

His was a remarkable life of service both to her Majesty the Queen and to this Country. His career of exemplary service to this country started during the Second World War.

He visited Greater Manchester many times and had a long history of support for Salford University which started in 1953 when he succeeded his Majesty King George the Sixth as Patron of the Royal Technical College, Salford. In 1967 having merged with the Royal College of Advanced Technology he became the first Chancellor of the University of Salford. He visited the University many times as Chancellor and after he stood down in 1991 he continued to show an interest in the University opening the University’s Acoustic facility in 2008, and the University of Salford at Media City UK in 2012. Shortly before his retirement, he entertained the Vice-Chancellor and a small group from Salford University at a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the University.

He opened the new terminal at Manchester Airport in 1962 which was then the first in Europe to incorporate a ‘pier’ system, in which passengers remain under cover until ready to board the aircraft. He revisited in 1993 to open Terminal 2.

His Royal Highness first considered the idea of a national programme to support young people’s development in the autumn of 1954 and launched the pilot for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme in February 1956. In 1979 he visited the scheme inÂ Wigan, Oldham and Manchester and it thrives in Greater Manchester supporting young people across the County.

His visits across the county were countless and enjoyed by thousands of people; his service will be long remembered.

Flags across the County should fly at half mast until 8am on the day after the funeral of His Royal Highness and The Lord-Lieutenant will observe a period of Royal mourning until the 23rd April.

A book of Condolence can be found on the Royal website here

Nominations for National Awards

National awards can be given to individuals, groups of volunteers or businesses. Petitions and media campaigns can raise profiles and even demand awards but they actually won’t be awarded unless someone nominates them first. Nominations are straighforward and anyone can nominate.That someone can be you.

Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Winners 2020

Thirty three Greater Manchester voluntary groups have been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Commonly known as the MBE for volunteer groups, it is the highest award a group can receive in the UK.

Disability Confident Webinars

Disability Confident (Free) Practical Webinars

During these unprecedented and challenging times, it’s important to keep closely connected to the widest Disability Confident employer community so that during and after COVID-19, disabled people are recruited and retained in work and not left behind. The Ability Networks provide a brilliant platform to deliver practical and useful information to employers that, at this time, require advice, guidance and support.

Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the Greater Manchester Lieutenancy

The Lord-Lieutenant is at an increased risk of severe illness from Coronavirus and has decided to heed the Government advice and put stringent social distancing measures in place for the next few months or until the advice changes. He is now working from home and predominantly using email and telephone. We will be contacting meeting and event coordinators for anything The Lord-Lieutenant has been invited to and cannot now attend. New invitations will be considered on case by case basis and if it is appropriate and safe the Vice Lord-Lieutenant or a Deputy Lieutenant will attend and represent him. The Lieutenancy Office Staff are also putting measures in place to enable them to work from home in the very near future.

New Year’s Honours List 2020

The Lord-Lieutenant would like to congratulate all the Greater Manchester recipients of Honours in the New Year’s Honours List. The list is the best that Greater Manchester has ever had and this would not be possible without the people taking the time to nominate these extraordinary recipients whom he would also like to particularly thank.

Author: Steve Hall