Thirteen people from East Lancashire recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Thirteen people from East Lancashire recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours

12:00am Saturday 16th June 2012 in News

THIRTEEN people from East Lancashire have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Of those to receive honours in Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee year are Fred and Audrey Wearing who have looked after 200 children during 40 years as foster parents.

Audrey, 78, and Fred, 77, from Darwen, have both got MBEs for services to children and families. They have mainly cared for newborns and children aged up to four years old and have kept in touch with many of the families they have worked with.

Mrs Wearing said: “We’re both very excited about it, but it’s not properly sunk in yet.

“I suppose it’s quite unusual for both a husband and wife to get an honour like this, and I’m a bit apprehensive about going down to London to collect the award.”

Counter-terrorism officer Detective Inspector Andrea Bradbury, is to recieve an MBE for her services to policing over 25 years.

As geographic inspector for Blackburn between 2003 and 2008, she was instrumental in huge reductions in crime figures and increasing local community confidence within the police.

Since 2008, she has spearheaded the Government’s Prevent Strategy.

She said: “It’s a very proud day for me and Lancashire Constabulary, I’m absolutely thrilled to have received the MBE. It is particularly special in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

Blackburn Rovers fan Peter Jackson, 47, who has a chain of jewellers shops in the North West, including one in Blackburn, has been awarded an MBE for charitable services in Lancashire.

He has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds through sporting events for charities including The Princes Trust, Derian House children’s hospice and The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths.

He said: “I feel extremely humble and very excited. The only down point is that my father died last September, and I know he would have been so proud.”

Dr Alison Jane Birkinshaw, former Nelson and Colne College principal, has been awarded an OBE for services to education.

She joined Nelson and Colne College in 1984 and progressed to section leader in music and head of creative arts before moving to Runshaw College, Leyland.

In 2004 she returned to Nelson and Colne as principal and the college was judged 'outstanding' by Ofsted in 2005, becoming a Beacon College in 2006. Since 2008 she has been principal of York College.

Twenty-year-old Sufyaan Patel of Preston New Road, Blackburn, has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to the community sector.

Currently studying at Birmingham University, Sufyaan has put in over 500 hours of voluntary work over a variety of different causes for Brook – a leading provider of sexual health services and advice for people under 25.

He has helped advise and educate young people on issues such as sexual health, substance misuse, abuse, bullying and homelessness.

Others to be recognised are Kathleen Paintin, founder and chair of North West Network, who has an OBE for services to Special Needs Education, Keith Brandwood, lecturer at Blackburn College, who has an OBE for services to education, Jennifer McMahon from Chorley who has got an MBE for services to children and families, James Fletcher of Belthorn, has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to the village community, and Peter Smith of Whitworth, chairman of the Mountain Rescue Council, who has an OBE for services to the service.

• THREE East Lancashire doctors have been rewarded for their combined 120-year service to the NHS.

Professor Iqbal Singh, 61, who has been consultant physician in medicine for older people at the Royal Blackburn Hospital for over 25 years has received an OBE.

Born and raised in Simla, India, Professor Singh has worked for the NHS since 1974, and was a founder commissioner of the Health Care Commission.

The father-of-three said: “It’s a great honour, not only for myself, but for all of my colleagues who have worked with me on issues including reducing inequality, and improved healthcare for older people.

“I was thrilled when I received a letter three or four weeks ago.”

Dr Venkataswarmy Narayana, was a registrar at Burnley General before becoming a partner at Thursby Surgery, Burnley, in 1980. He has been awarded an MBE for services to general practice.

He said: “I feel really humbled and honoured. I’ve had to keep it quiet for a few weeks, but I’m looking forward to being to tell others.

“In fact, we’ll have a double celebration, because my youngest son has also just qualified as a doctor.”

He added: “The highlight of my career has been being able to look after people, to be part of continued and personal care. People ask me if I’m going to go home to India when I retire, but I tell them that Burnley is my home. I’m very proud of this town.”

Dr Narendra Singh, 72, a GP at Ruskin Health Care at the St Peter’s Health Centre, Burnley, has been awarded an MBE for services to the community in East Lancashire.

Originally from Delhi, India, Dr Singh has devoted 46 years to health in Burnley, and was named “North West GP of the Year” in 2008 by the Royal College of General Practitioners for his work in a new project to help unemployed patients back to work.

He said: “It’s super, I am over-the-moon and very satisfied with my life.

“I have been very happy that the local community has embraced me with honours, and I am still passionate about serving patients in this town.”

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