University chief and Claudia’s father are honoured
THE FATHER of missing Claudia Lawrence has been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his tireless campaigning to provide hope to families who have endured the trauma of a loved one vanishing.
Peter Lawrence, whose daughter was last seen in York in March 2009, has been awarded an OBE for services to the families of missing persons.
He founded the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Bill, which was given Royal assent in April last year, to give the friends and families of missing people greater control over their finances to avoid issues such as debt.
Speaking about his OBE, Mr Lawrence told “It was a total shock, completely unexpected.”
The 71-year-old said he was “still trying to take it in”, adding: “I just feel that I’m getting this award on behalf of the charity and all the people there who work so hard.”
The Claudia Lawrence appeal, which seeks information about the University of York chef ’s disappearance, is supported by the Missing People charity.
Meanwhile, Professor Chris Husbands, the vice-chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, has received a knighthood for services to higher education as fellow academics, police officers, charity stalwarts, campaigners and community leaders from across the region are also named as medal-winners.
Of his new title, Sir Chris said: “I am extremely humbled to accept this honour.
“I’ve been extremely fortunate; I’ve had a career beyond the imaginings of my parents and grandparents and that’s down to the exceptional people who, at the time, created opportunities for youngsters like me.
“The higher education I experienced changed my life, and, through that, changed the way my children thought about what was possible for them. Opportunity echoes through generations just as lack of opportunity does.
“It’s this, the great transformative potential of a university, which is one of the things which shaped me, and continues to drive me.”
In 2016, the Government appointed him as the inaugural chair of the Teaching Excellence Framework, which aims to improve the quality of teaching throughout the sector. He has also advised local and national governments across the world, and has been vice-chancellor of Sheffield Hallam since January 2016.
Kevin Sharp, the clerk to the West Yorkshire Lieutenancy, won a Royal Victorian Order, while Professor John Neil Loughhead, a chief scientific adviser at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, was given an OBE for services to research and development in the energy sector.
Eight notables with links to Yorkshire received CBEs, 16 were given OBEs, an MBE has been bestowed on 24 people, and 21 more have been honoured with a BEM.
The leader of Calderdale Council Coun Tim Swift has become Member of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his contribution to local government and the regeneration of Halifax.
He said: “I was very touched and surprised to be nominated for this honour, which feels like the icing on the cake after the incredible year that we’ve had in Calderdale.”
The councillor of 14 years, who is also the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s vice-chairman, oversaw the transformation of the Grade I-listed Piece Hall building, which reopened on August 1 last year, Yorkshire Day. IT IS a story of sweet success for Keith Tordoff – Nidderdale’s Chamber of Trade chairman who finds the area so filled with charm that he has declined to take a holiday for two decades.
The 62-year-old former police officer runs the Oldest Sweet Shop in England, in Pateley Bridge, a business he took over 25 years ago and which now attracts countless visitors to the North Yorkshire market town.
And his role in that area’s reversal of fortunes is one that has led to him being honoured with an MBE for services to business and to the community in Nidderdale.
He said: “I’m very excited, very emotional and very honoured.
“I’m very proud to say we have a high street which has no empty shops, which in this climate is very unique, as I understand it.”
The main shopping street was once ailing but later rejuvenated under his stewardship, and Pateley Bridge won the village category of the Great British High Street Awards in 2016.
He also worked with Nidderdale High School to build a Business Resource Centre for students, which Prince Charles turned out to open.
After working at Leeds’s Kirkgate Market as a youngster, Mr Tordoff joined the police.
“My love of sweets was known by the officers. When we were out and about, they used to say ‘What you got tonight Tordy?’ I’d say ‘jelly beans’ and they’d say ‘Ooh, fantastic!’”
He took over his shop from an elderly woman who kept “no books, no records and no stock”, but who knew he would be interested. In 2014, his business – which dates back to 1827 – was named the oldest sweet shop in the world by the Guinness Book of Records. He said: “I haven’t been on holiday in 20 years – why would I need to when I’ve got the whole of Nidderdale, which has everything?”
Meanwhile Roger Charnley, 82, has been recognised for his voluntary service to business and the community after setting up the Burley and District Chamber of Trade in West Yorkshire.