A number of East Lancashire faces have been recognised by the Queen in this year’s birthday honours, along with a host of celebrities.
The Queen's Birthday Honours list for 2022 has been announced tonight on the eve of Thursday's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Among the local recipients is Tim Murrell, who has been awarded a Queen’s Fire Service Medal for his work for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, especially his work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
READ MORE: Miranda Barker awarded OBE in Queen's Birthday Honours
Tim joined the service in 1989 and has worked at fire stations across the county as well as service headquarters.
Tim worked tirelessly during the pandemic, helping to provide personal protective equipment to social and health care workers and implementing the rollout of lateral flow tests for all staff.
Most notably, he played a crucial role in making Lancashire the first fire and rescue service in the country to help in the vaccination programme.
Chief Fire Officer Justin Johnston says: “I am delighted Tim has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
“Tim has been instrumental in the service’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and in the introduction of drones.”
Deborah Clark, founder and former chief executive officer of Community Solutions North West Limited has been awarded an MBE for services to the community in Lancashire.
She set up the company in 2018 and remained there until the end of last year. She now works for Brave Church in Oswaldtwistle.
Cllr Zamir Khan, a community volunteer has been made an MBE for his services to the Blackburn Muslim Burial Society and to the community, particularly during Covid-19.
He said: “It’s been a very difficult time through the pandemic.
“I have been working in the community for 25 to 30 years. It’s very nice to be recognised and I feel honoured.
“I want to thank everyone in the community and my family and friends.
“It’s an honour to serve Blackburn.”
READ MORE: Deaf nurse from Blackburn awarded BEM in honours list
Stephen Hutchinson, 67, has been awarded a British Empire Medal for voluntary service to young people in Lancashire.
Stephen, from Burnley, said: “I was honoured, in particular for my work with the youth and community.
“I was surprised to hear I had been given a BEM and extremely honoured and pleased," he said.
“I am so grateful and thankful towards everyone who has supported me.”
Stephen, who is chair of Accrington and District Unit, Sea Cadets has spent the last three years almost single-handedly negotiating the home of the Accrington and District Sea Cadets, securing their base with a 53-year lease, saving the group.
READ MORE: Banu Adam who founded Arts 2 Heal charity awarded BEM
Former Chief Constable for Lancashire Police, Andrew Rhodes has been made an OBE for services to emergency responder wellbeing and mental health.
Andrew retired from the police force in 2021 after 30 years of service. Mr Rhodes has previously been recognised having been awarded a Queen’s Police Medal.
John McLaughlin, from Rossendale, has been awarded an OBE for his work as a director or HMP Oakwood, for services to HM Prison and Probation Service.
John, who ran the prison with G4S now runs HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough.
They join several famous faces who have received honours including in this years list.
From the world of television, Masterchef co-hosts John Torode and Gregg Wallace have both received MBEs, while veteran sports broadcaster and LGBTQ+ activist Clare Balding is made a CBE.
READ MORE: Kamruddin Kothia from Star Academies awarded OBE in Birthday Honours
Crime author Ian Rankin receives a knighthood while acclaimed author Salman Rushdie and celebrated illustrator Quentin Black join the Order of the Companions of Honour, the highest accolade of which there are only 65 at any one time.
Fashion designer Stella McCartney also gets a CBE, while musician Gaynor Sullivan, better known by stage name Bonnie Tyler, gets an MBE, as do actors Pauline Quirke and Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt on Coronation Street.
From the world of sport, England cricketer Moeen Ali and Wigan rugby league legend Sean O'Loughlin get OBEs, as does GB Curling Olympic champion skip Eve Muirhead, with the rest of her team getting MBEs.
Footballers Rio Ferdinand, Mike Summerbee and Luther Blissett get OBEs while Gareth Bale gets an MBE, as do snooker players Mark Selby and Judd Trump.
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