A royal gong for ex-teacher John
He’s awarded MBE by the Queen
A retired teacher was given the royal seal of approval for his dedication to a number of organisations over more than 30 years.
John Sharpe, 67, from Calderwood, was honoured with an MBE from the Queen at Holyroodhouse.
The former principal teacher of learning support at Duncanrig Secondary and an ex-Strathaven Academy teacher was named in the Queen’s New Year Honours list .
He was joined by family for the ceremony which saw him recognised for his work with the The Children’s Hearing Service, The Royal Observer Corps – which he joined in 1972 – and as National Chairman of The Royal Observer Corps Association.
John is also branch chair of the RAF Association in East Kilbride and welfare officer, helping ex-service personnel and their families throughout South and North Lanarkshire.
And he is still a well-known face at Duncanrig despite officially ‘retiring’ in 2002.
He did supply teaching in the school and still invigilates during exams, and is front-of-house during school shows and productions. The grandad-of-five, who met his partner, Yvonne Thomas, through The Royal Observer Corps told the News he was truly humbled to be given a gong and he and his family thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
“It really was a wonderful day for all of us and one we won’t forget in a hurry,” said John.
“I attended the investiture with Yvonne, my daughter Audrey and my eldest grandchild Rebecca.
“Only three people can come to Holyroodhouse with you so I met up with my son Andrew and the rest of the family in Edinburgh afterwards.”
John, who briefly met the Queen once before at a garden party at RAF Bentley Priory in Greater London in 1991 as Commander of the Royal Observer Corps, even shared a joke with Her Majesty at their recent meeting.
“I have been involved with the Royal Observer Corps Association for more than 20 years and I am still chairman, so I joked that ‘they had found a fool and decided to hold on to him’, which brought a little smile to her face,” he continued. “Although the Royal Observer Corps disbanded in 1991, Her Majesty is still Patron of the Association to this day so she has a lot of knowledge on the subject.”
John is also extremely proud of his work with The Children’s Hearing Service. He said: “I joined in the 70s then came out for a bit and went back to it in 1992 before retiring in 2015.
“I got a great deal out of my time there despite hearing the most heartbreaking stories but knowing you were making a difference was so rewarding.”
And John feels the MBE is not only an honour for him but all those he has worked with over the years.
“Obviously, it is lovely to be recognised for your achievements and it is a great honour for myself,” he said.
“But it is also an honour for the Royal Observer Corps and Association and all those in the Children’s Hearing system.
“I couldn’t have done what I have done without them.”
And active John added: “I like to keep busy so still love my work wit the RAF Association and don’t see myself stopping any time soon.”