[A]s the Queen’s Birthday Honours are published, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, Mrs Claire Hensman, is encouraging local Cumbrians to consider nominating more people from across the county.
The Honours system recognises people who have made an exceptional contribution and real difference in their communities. The awards are made twice a year: in January this year when several Cumbrians received Honours and now in June to celebrate the Queen’s Official Birthday.
The following names are in the new list:
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Professor Susan Mary Braye from Sedbergh, for services to vulnerable people
- Ms Dorothy Anne Gradden from Beckermet, for services to the nuclear industry
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
- Mrs Doreen Anne Hall from Coniston, for services to the community in the Lake District
- Dr Sean Terence Hudson from Caldbeck, for services to providing medical aid and education
- Mr Brian Allen Spencer from Keswick, for services to Mountain Rescue in Cumbria
Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
- Ms Patricia Hall from Workington, for services to the community
- Mr Brian Edward Murphy from Brampton for Services to Policing
SPC Brian Murphy, 61, nomination stated that: “He is highly respected by his peers and his senior officers, for his experience, approachability, commitment to the community, and genuine desire to support colleagues in their development.”
Following a career as a Police Constable for 32 years with Cumbria Constabulary, on retirement, he volunteered to become a Special Constable to continue policing in the rural community for a further five years to date.
In this time has worked 353 duties volunteering over 2,600 hours within north Cumbria.
His service both as a regular officer and as a special constable has been exemplary, being a mentor for younger colleagues, as well as working as part of the Brampton policing team to patrol the rural area, respond to calls for service, and generally provide reassurance to the community.
During his time as a Special Constable, he has received three certificates of appreciation and has been awarded the area shield for the most contribution for his service within north area in the last financial year. This was in part for performance, but also for his work to train and develop new Special Constables, leading to them becoming capable of independent patrol.
Chief Constable Jerry Graham said: “This is a fantastic achievement and is an acknowledgement of Brian’s unwavering dedication, professionalism, and hard work.
“I would like to add my own personal thanks for his hard work in over 33 years of policing and wish him all the very best in accepting this prestigious award.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “I am delighted that Brian has received public recognition for his outstanding commitment and selfless service to the public of Cumbria. His dedication is an excellent example of the work that special constables do to serve our community. This award is richly deserved and is recognition for Brian and his colleague Special Police Officers to whom we owe real gratitude.”
His nomination form also included the following information:
“During his 32 years as a regular officer, he was held in the highest regard by his fellow officers as well as the communities he served and always performed to the highest standard. He was a well know face to many local people in North Cumbria and his knowledge of local policing issues was second to none.
“As a Special Constable, he has made over 30 arrests many of which have been assigned to officers working under his guidance, including six for drink-driving. He has conducted over 1,000 vehicle stops, a number of which has resulted in traffic offence reports or prosecutions, submitted over 100 intelligence reports from information gained which have been influential in investigations, and has undertaken eight drug seizures resulting from his own investigation of suspicious behaviour.
“He is a respected officer who seeks to help others and demonstrates the best values of policing in all his engagements with the public. He often is reluctant to take credit, preferring to support lesser-experienced colleagues in their development and enabling them to grow in confidence.”
Nominations
Anyone can nominate someone for a UK Honour through the ‘open access’ system and these are awarded to people from all walks of life.
The final decision as to who receives an honour is first decided by an Honours Committee and their recommendations will then go to the Prime Minister and finally to HM The Queen. On approval – and the process can take up to 18 months – an announcement of recipients will be made in HM The Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June.
Claire Hensman, Lord-Lieutenant for Cumbria, said: “I would encourage people to think about someone that they know who always goes the extra mile for others and who has made a special contribution to their community or to their area of work over the years. Anyone can nominate a person for an honour and I am very keen for people who have given exceptional service to the community to receive the recognition they deserve.
“These awards are special; they are the highest possible recognition of a job well done.”
Nomination forms and advice on how to complete them are available through the Cumbria County Council website here.
For further information, contact Suzannah Walker, Lieutenancy Officer, 01228 221722, Suzannah.brooks@cumbria.gov.uk
