And there’s an MBE for Eric the Red
BEE GEES STAR KNIGHTED IN NEW YEAR’S HONOURS
THE last surviving member of the Bee Gees, Barry Gibb, and some of Greater Manchester’s unsung heroes have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
The Staying Alive singer, who grew up in Keppel Road, Chorlton, has received a knighthood for services to music and charity.
Gibb, 71, said he was ‘deeply honoured, humbled, and very proud’ by the award. He said: “This is a moment in life to be treasured and never forgotten. I want to acknowledge how responsible my brothers are for this honour. It is as much theirs as it is mine.”
Greater Manchester’s public servants, business people and community champions have been celebrated in the list.
Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham and Sale West, is knighted for his political and public service.
Mr Brady, 50, who has served his Trafford constituency for 20 years, described the royal accolade as a ‘great honour’.
The MP, who has chaired the influential backbench 1992 committee for seven years, said: “I am thrilled with the announcement and my family are also very excited.
“Most MPs work very hard and serve the public, but do not always get recognised for the work they do. It is a huge honour to be among those recognised this year.”
Pc Adele Owen, of GMP, has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service.
Pc Owen, who has served in the force for 20 years, is recognised for transforming the force’s approach to responding to people with mental health needs.
She is also recognised for her work improving support for police officers struggling with their own mental ill health due to the demands of the job.
“I’m absolutely delighted to receive this honour. It’s a huge surprise and I’m very grateful to those who nominated me,” Pc Owen said.
“I feel very proud to represent GMP in my current role and have been privileged to work with many dedicated colleagues during my 20 years with the force.”
Primary school teaching assistant Sandra Bradshaw, from Fallowfield, is celebrated for her years of dedication to the community in Manchester.
Mrs Bradshaw, 63, has been a church warden at St. Crispin’s Church, in Fallowfield, for 37 years and is President of the Mother’s Union Archdeaconry for Manchester.
The mum-of-two and her husband Jack Bradshaw were instrumental to grassroots football in Manchester, with Sandra volunteering as club secretary at Falcon United Amateur FC for almost 20 years. The club, which ran on limited funds, was one of the first clubs in Manchester to welcome Jamaican players to train and play in the seventies.
Mrs Bradshaw, who works at Wilbraham Primary, is made a BEM in the honours, said: “I was incredibly shocked when I found out.
“I first started at Falcon United on the sidelines and gradually became more involved.
“It was self-financing at the time and we had three teams.
“I spent most Saturdays and Sundays at matches with my husband. We would nearly always have some of the players round to ours after the match for a Sunday roast.
“I really can’t believe I was nominated for an honour in the first place. It’s been difficult to keep it a secret.”
I want to acknowledge how responsible my brothers are for this honour Sir Barry Gibb
A grandmother-of-four who has helped raise more than £760,000 for The Christie in the last 20 years is also highlighted in this year’s list.
Janice Moss first started supporting the Christie charity after being treated for breast cancer.
As chair of the Altrincham and Sale fundraising group she helps organise at least one event a month and volunteers at the Christie.
Janice, 73, from Hale, who is now a charity partner governor, said: “Supporting the Christie is a passion for everyone on my fantastic committee, who do a tremendous amount of work and fundraising in our area.
“It is only when you go out fundraising you realise how many people are connected to the hospital. It has been my pleasure to support its amazing work over the years.”
Manchester entrepreneur Prof Vikas Shah is awarded an MBE for services to business and the economy.
Prof Shah is an honorary professor at Alliance Manchester Business School and often appears on television to comment on business issues. Hilary Garratt, NHS England’s Director of Nursing and Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England, is made a CBE for services to Nursing and the Safeguarding of Vulnerable People.
Hilary, from Worsley, Salford, said: “This is a huge surprise and a tribute to the many individuals and organisations that are involved in our safeguarding work, which often happens quietly in the background of the NHS.
“I am passionate about bringing people and organisations together to protect vulnerable children and adults and it’s been a privilege to work closely with a range of inspiring people, including those with a lived experience of these issues.”