Lancs public servants and volunteers receive King’s Birthday honours

More than 1,000 recipients have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all sectors and parts of the UK. There was a renewed focus on those who have had a profoundly positive impact on how society faces up to the most challenging issues of the modern era.

Lisa Anne Crausby, who hails from Brampton in Cumbria, was honoured with an OBE for services to education. She is an executive director at Blackburn based Star Academies, which runs the Tauheedul Girls’ High School and Boys’ High School.

Former Blackburn with Darwen public health director Dominic Harrison was honoured with a BEM for services to vulnerable people in Lancashire.

Steven Wilcock was also recognised with a BEM for services to the community in Trawden.

He got the news while on holiday in Spain.

He said: “We were away and they had sent the letter and it requires you to respond quite quickly.

“Then they called and it was such a lovely surprise and a great way to find out.”

Steven, 69, has been instrumental in rejuvenating the Trawden Forest Community Centre, library and shop and had been involved in his local community for many years.

He said: “I remember when we first began the project and 15 people turned out with paint brushes.

“From there things just took off and I get calls from other villages asking how we managed to make it such a success.

“The community spirit here and the willingness to help within our local area is something special.”

Sue Clarke who was described as an inspiration to fellow female officers at Lancashire Constabulary was honoured with the King’s Police Medal (KPM).

She had retired as a Detective Chief Superintendent for the force after 32 years of service.

Sue began her service in the south of the county in 1990 and then moved to Blackpool where she worked firstly in a uniform supervisory role before transferring to CID where she progressed through the ranks to the Head of Crime for Lancashire, before being promoted to Chief Superintendent. Her current role is that of Director of the Violence Reduction Network for Lancashire.

Jen Blackwell, 41 of Chorley founded Accrington based DanceSyndrome, was honoured with a BEM for services to disabled people.

The charity offers weekly inclusive dance workshops, their own accredited leadership training, and high quality and exceptional performances at a variety of events including performing at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August.

Jen said: “I’m amazed to receive this honour for what I love doing. I’m proud of who I am and the achievements of DanceSyndrome.

“It’s an honour to inspire others to dance and live a life of their choosing. I believe that everybody can dance and do things they love no matter how other people define us.”

Deputy Prime Minister Rt Hon. Oliver Dowden MP said: “This year’s honours list is a testament to ordinary people who have demonstrated extraordinary community spirit, and I pay tribute to all those who have been recognised today.

“Our honours system has long been a way of recognising people who make an incredible contribution to life in Britain and beyond.

“We are now focussed on levelling up the system to ensure it represents the length and breadth of the country, and I hope that the fantastic stories this year ensure more regional nominations in the future.”

The list of recipients from across the region includes:

OBE

Lisa Anne CRAUSBY Executive Director, Star Academies, Blackburn, Lancashire. For services to Education (Brampton, Cumbria)
Alexandra Claire JOHNSON Co-Founder, Duchenne UK, Co-Founder, Joining Jack and lately Board Member, World Duchenne Organisation. For services to Charity and to People with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (Chorley, Lancashire)
Professor Helen Jane MARSHALL Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, University of Salford, Greater Manchester. For services to Higher Education (Preston, Lancashire)

MBE

John CHILD Lately Managing Director, Sandcastle Waterpark. For services to Tourism, to People with Disabilities and to the community in Blackpool, Lancashire (Lytham, Lancashire)
Anthony Philip COOPER Volunteer, The Royal British Legion. For voluntary services to Veterans (Chorley, Lancashire)
Sara Joanne CROOKDAKE Assistant Chief Executive, Disability Stockport. For services to Disabled People in North West England (Rossendale, Lancashire)
Paul Stuart ETHELL HR Director, BAE Systems Submarines. For services to the Defence Industry and to the community in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria (Preston, Lancashire)
Pauline Marie GAMESTER Founder, Connector Media Community Interest Company and Co-Founder and Director, The Sewing Room. For services to Social Enterprise and to the community in Lancashire (Skelmersdale, Lancashire)
Rosalind Margaret SLINGER Chair, Centre Membership Committee, Pony Club. For services to Equestrianism and to Charity (Preston, Lancashire)
Janine Faye SMITH Commercial and Digital Resilience Manager, Department for Work and Pensions. For Public Service (Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire)

BEM

Gill ANDREW Manager, Department for Work and Pensions Job Centre. For Public and Charitable Services in Fleetwood, Lancashire (Blackpool, Lancashire).
Jennifer Susan BLACKWELL Founder, DanceSyndrome. For services to Disabled People (Chorley, Lancashire).
Dominic Peter HARRISON Lately Director, Public Health, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. For services to Vulnerable People in Lancashire (Lancaster, Lancashire)
Elaine SHALLCROSS Pickleball Player, Coach, Administrator and International Federation of Pickleball Ambassador. For services to Pickleball (Preston, Lancashire).
Geoffrey Bruce SWORD Lately Chair, Summerseat Players. For services to Drama and to the community in Greater Manchester and East Lancashire (Bury, Greater Manchester).
Steven WILCOCK For services to the community in Trawden, Lancashire (Colne, Lancashire).

KPM (King’s Police Medal)