HONOURS FOR CHEF PAULA McINTYRE AND BRENDA HALE
CELEBRITY chef Paula McIntyre heads a list of nearly 100 Northern Ireland people recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
The broadcaster and food writer is awarded an MBE for services to the food, drink and hospitality sector.
A total of 91 recipients from here — drawn from a variety of fields including health, industry and government — feature on the list.
Janet McCollum, the former chief executive of food producer Moy Park, is awarded a CBE.
Dr Ian Clements, the chair of the Health and Social Care Board, receives an OBE, as does Brenda Hale, the war widow and former DUP MLA.
The honours also recognise many who have worked tirelessly outside the public spotlight.
The most high-pro- file recipient is Paula McIntyre.
The resident chef on BBC Radio Ulster has become a listeners’ favourite on the Saturday magazine show.
Paula explained how she had kept the news quiet for more than a month.
“Trying not to tell anybody has been the hardest thing to do in my life,” she told the Belfast Telegraph. “I’ve known since the beginning of May.
“I read the envelope and it said that it was from the Cabinet Office. I immediately thought, ‘what have I done?’
“When I opened it, I was standing in the front hall and was so shocked, but in a nice way.”
Paula revealed she only broke the news to her parents in recent days.
“I told my mum and dad the other night
and they just can’t believe it,” she added. “I’m very proud because it’s also an endorsement for the food scene in Northern Ireland.”
Three people receive a CBE, including Ms McCollum, who stepped down last month after serving as Moy Park CEO since 2014.
The others are Stan Brown, the chief executive of Forensic Science Northern Ireland, and Brendan McGuigan, the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.
A total of 11 people receive an OBE, including Ms Hale, who served as MLA for Lagan Valley from 2011 to 2017.
Her husband, Captain Mark Hale (42) died in a bomb blast in Afghanistan’s Helmand province in August 2009 as he was helping to carry a wounded soldier to safety.
The couple, from Dromara, Co Down had been married for 22 years when he was killed.
“This is something I would have given my world to share with him,” Mrs Hale said.
“On the flip side of the coin, it is because of what happened to Mark in Afghanistan that set me on the road to politics and actually led me to receiving this honour.”
Mrs Hale has two daughters, Victoria (25), and Alexandra (17).
“They’re very proud because obviously they have been on this journey with me,” she added.
Other OBE recipients include Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin and David Gosnell, the executive chairman at Old Bushmills Distillery.
Mr Martin said he felt “extremely privileged and honoured”.
He added: “I regard this OBE as recognition for the entire Police Service and for all of the officers and staff I have served alongside over the years and for those I have had the honour to lead.
“We have worked hard to serve all communities in Northern Ireland, often during challenging times, to make this a safer place for everyone.”
A further 26 people receive an MBE while 46 receive a British Empire Medal.
Among them is the chief executive of the Children’s Heartbeat Trust Sarah Quinlan, who is rewarded for services to children and young people with congenital heart disease.
Ms Quinlan said it was a reflection of the collective effort by all those at the trust who support children and families.
George Gray, who served as head of the Legislative Counsel in Northern Ireland, is made a Companion of the Order of the Bath.
Three PSNI officers are handed a Queen’s Police Medal while one Queen’s Ambulance Medal is awarded.