Cumbrian recipients of the delayed 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours have been announced. The Honours system gives national recognition to people who have given exceptional service in public and community life and are committed to making a difference to those around them.
HM Lord-Lieutenant for Cumbria, Mrs Claire Hensman congratulates all the award winners but at this time also wishes to thank all those in Cumbria who have stepped up to help in many ways during the pandemic. Some of those recognised in the lists today are ‘Covid’ volunteers. There will be others who also have a long record of exceptional service and Mrs Hensman is encouraging people to nominate those Cumbrians worthy of national recognition.
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Mr Samuel Alan Miles Rayner of Kendal, for services to business and the community in Cumbria.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Ms Jacqueline Ruth Findlay of Appleby-in-Westmorland, for services to the administration of Justice.
- Mr Toblas Grant Peyton-Jones of Windermere, for services to education, skills and young people.
- Ms Kathryn Charlotte Louise Willard of Witherslack, for services to transport and the economy.
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
- Ms Sarah Elizabeth Beale of Dalton-in-Furness, for services to girls and young people women during COVID-19.
- Mrs Philippa Groves of Wigton, for services to the community in Cumbria particularly during COVID-19.
- Mr William Slavin of Whitehaven, for services to homeless people, education and the community in West Cumbria.
Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
- Mr Christopher William Armstrong of Carlisle, for services to the NHS and community during COVID-19.
- Dr John Danks of Penrith, for voluntary service to young people and to the community in Eden.
- Miss Kathryn Fiona McCloghrie of Whitehaven, for services to business and the community in Cumbria during the C0VID-19 response.
- Mr Mark Kenneth Roberts of Cockermouth, for services to the community in Cumbria during COVID-19.
- Mr John Stobbart of Workington, for voluntary service to Maritime Safety.
- Mr Malcolm Temple of Penrith, for services to Local Government in Cumbria.
Mrs Claire Hensman, HM Lord-Lieutenant for Cumbria, said: “I would like to congratulate all those who have received an honour. Receiving an honour is a huge achievement and I am pleased to see so many Cumbrians in this expanded list.
“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 and for me they are the highest possible recognition of a job well done.”
John Stobbart, 61, of High Harrington, qualified as a lifeboat member in 1987 and rose rapidly through the ranks.
He became second coxswain in 1991 and was appointed as coxswain in 1994.
His superb boat handling in exceptionally rough weather conditions was key to the success of several high profile rescues including the disabled FV Siskin plus three crew in 2000; the recovery of two casualties from the grounded yacht Susilla in 2003; recovering the FV Irish
Enterprise and six crew with fouled nets in 2010, bringing the disabled FV George Lou-N with a very seriously injured crewman safely into port in 2011; and the rescue of two people and recovery of their yacht Never Satisfied in 2012.
John, who is married to Julie, said: “It is with surprise and great honour that I have received this award, especially as this is something which has been a great pleasure.
“But I am only one member of a crew. Without those on the crew and the many people who support us behind the scenes, it is a huge team effort for a very noble cause, which in my world is what it’s all about.
“To date it will be coming up to 34 years.
“Looking back now it seems to have passed in a blink of an eye, however in that time a lot has happened.
“We have gone from the old double ended Watson class lifeboat in the river to the state-of-the-art Shannon class lifeboat, launched via a davit.
“There have been sad times and great times in which I have met people who have become good friends.
“All the crew members – and everyone who supports the lifeboat – all have the same values; they are eager to do the best job possible with little regard for themselves. This is what makes the RNLI the special organisation it is.
The nomination for his honour said: “He commands the Workington lifeboat in the challenging waters of the Irish Sea and Solway Firth.
“He unfailingly demonstrates great moral and physical courage in the face of adversity, selfless dedication to duty, exceptional leadership and fine seamanship.
“His performance is of the highest order and stands comparison with the best traditions of the RNLI.”
As the station coxswain he has been awarded two RNLI Thanks on Vellum for Gallantry, one RNLI Chief Executive’s Letter and four RNLI Chief of Operations’ Letters.
In 2017 he was given the RNLI’s Excellence in Volunteering award for his efforts in support of a local appeal to raise funds for a new lifeboat.
The appeal set out to raise £150,000 and he was an active member of the appeal steering group, instrumental in gaining the support of local organisations.
The appeal was eventually closed having raised £15,000 in excess of its target and the Shannon class Dorothy May White was launched for the first time in Workington the following year.
He runs Stobbarts Limited in Workington, which became one of Sellafield Ltd’s most valued local suppliers.
He has won huge respect in the community for his magnanimous support for local charities and organisations, including a hostel for homeless people, renovation of an amateur theatre, adventurous facilities for disabled young people and many others.
The nomination added: “His drive and determination in raising the RNLI’s profile in the local community has had a lasting effect and the station has become a popular local cause.”
RNLI chief executive, Mark Dowie said: “It is such a delight to see these RNLI people recognised for their hard work and commitment, particularly as we have had such a challenging year.
“Those who have been named in this year’s Birthday Honours truly represent the RNLI values through their dedication, support and courage. On behalf of everyone at the RNLI, I send my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all those who have been recognised.”
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 go to the Prime Minister and finally to HM The Queen for approval. The process can take up to 18 months with recipients of honours announced in HM The Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June.
Nomination forms and advice on how to complete them are available through the Cumbria County Council website. https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/council-democracy/councillors-democracy-elections/lordlieutenant/nominations.asp