So pleased to be honoured (From Cotswold Journal)

So pleased to be honoured

5:00pm Tuesday 26th June 2012 in News

DEDICATED people from across the Vale and Cotswolds have received their just rewards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Elizabeth Bolland of Badsey, near Evesham, told the Journal she couldn’t quite believe it when she told she was to receive an MBE for her services to young people.

Mrs Bolland, who has been involved in Guiding for nearly 60 years, served as the division commissioner for Girl Guides, the Guiding development advisor, the marketing and PR advisor for the Pershore and Evesham area and lately became the district commissioner.

She said: “One of my most important roles with the Girl Guides was as Badsey leader for 34 years. I had to retire from that at age 65 but fortunately have been able to continue some of my involvement with the Guides.

“I started at the age of seven so Girl Guides is a very important part of my life. I am absolutely delighted to get the MBE. I wasn’t even sure whether it was a practical joke when I first heard. I am very much a royalist so I am looking forward to the presentation service – whoever gives me the award.”

The woman who founded Evesham-based Everyclick, Polly Gowers, has been made a CBE . The company, which builds fund-raising technology for charity, has raised more than £2 million for UK charities Mrs Gowers, who lives in Chipping Norton, received her honour for services to philanthropy.

Receving an OBE for services to music was Andrew Jowett, chief executive of Town Hall and Symphony Hall, Birmingham, who lives in Drakes Broughton. Mr Jowett, aged 61, said: “It’s an extraordinary privilege to run what I think is the best concert hall in the world.”

Alan Slater, CEO of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) who lives in Salford Priors, has been awarded an MBE for services to the funeral service.

He embarked on a development strategy that united the funeral service and raised issues that matter to funeral directors as well as giving bereaved relatives a voice.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to receive this honour,” said Mr Slater. “But it’s not just for me, it’s for the team of about 60 people who support me, giving up their time voluntarily for the greater good of the funeral industry and the bereaved families it serves.”

In the Cotswolds, author Susan Hill, known for books such as The Woman In Black, has been given a CBE for services to literature.

The Ebrington resident said: “I’m absolutely delighted.

It’s especially pleasing to receive it in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year. I am proud to receive it as a member of England’s fine writing and book community and although a Yorkshirewoman born and bred, as a Gloucestershire resident now.”

Professor Michael Sterling, who lives in Little Rissington, has been knighted for services to higher education, science and engineering.

For 19 years he was Vice- Chancellor at Brunel University followed by the University of Birmingham, as well a member of the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology since 2004.

He said: “I’m over the moon. It’s nice to be recognised.

A knighthood is quite rare as you see from the list.”

Christopher Morecroft, who lives in Mickleton, near Chipping Campden, has received an OBE for services to further education.

He is a former principal at Worcester College of Technology and a former president of the Association of Colleges.