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Delight as Benburb’s champion charity couple Neville and Myrtle Pogue named in New Year Honours

Dedicated Southern Hospice volunteers and fundraisers awarded BEM among the many locals honoured

Livingstone Tractor Run - Joint Presentation - Feb 19

A Co Armagh husband and wife, who have raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity over many years of selfless work and dedication, have each been awarded the BEM in the Queen’s New Years Honours List.

Neville Pogue and his wife Myrtle (couple pictured holding left cheque above), from Benburb, are recognised for their services to ‘charitable fundraising’.

The couple are volunteers and ambassadors for the Southern Area Hospice Services.

Among their many endeavours and fundraising channels over the years has been a stall at the Shambles Market in Armagh, and regular coffee mornings and other events at their Maydown Road home.

They also regularly attend events and presentations on behalf of the Southern Area Hospice to accept cheques for the proceeds from other groups’ and organisations’ fundraising activities.

Meanwhile, Armagh native Professor Paddy Gray (pictured below left) is made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

Professor Gray is the chair of Connswater Homes Ltd, in Belfast, and is awarded his OBE for services to housing in Northern Ireland.

A noted authority on housing and a highly respected figure in the world of academia, he grew up in Armagh during the 1960s and 1970s. And, while he is now a resident of Derry City, he considers himself an Armachian through and through.

In recent years he made a documentary on the so-called ‘Tin Town’ homes, pre-fab structures in evidence in a number of Armagh estates, including his own boyhood home at Daires Willows.

Professor Gray also chaired the first ever European Network for Housing Research conference and led a team of dignitaries on a tour of the city for this major event in 2016.

He has picked up numerous awards and accolades throughout a career spanning many years.

In 2011, he was awarded an honorary Fellowship from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

And in 2014 he was proclaimed Belfast Ambassador of the Year by Visit Belfast.

In London the following year, Professor Gray – who is housing business development director at the Armagh-based Homecare Independent Living Ireland – won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Work Experience at the National Undergraduates Employability Awards UK.

Two years later brought further recognition when he was bestowed the title of ‘top power player in housing’ in the UK by 24 Housing.

This will be the second major cause for celebration for him in consecutive months; and while December may have delivered a gong, November delivered a precious little girl, with the arrival of his first grandchild, baby Dearbhla!

The New Years Honours list – details of which have been unveiled tonight (Friday) – also brings seasonal good news for veteran Ulster Unionist Alderman Kenneth Twyble.

The Portadown-based councillor’s honour is awarded for services to local government, education and the community in Craigavon.

Mr Twyble is a lay preacher within the Methodist Church and founding captain of the 7th Company (Boys’ Brigade) at Edenderry in Portadown.

There is a BEM too for Michael John Armand Gaillard, producer and director of the Gilford-based Stage Aid, who is recognised for charitable services.

The popular and talented songwriter and playwright Armand established the charity in 1985, inspired by what was being achieved through celebrated famous faces from the musical world with the global Live Aid shows.

Stage Aid has raised tens of thousands of pounds over the past 34 years, with the proceeds going to support those in poverty and ill-health in Third World countries.

Former pro fighter turned trainer Bernard McComiskey, is awarded the BEM for services to boxing and the community in Gilford.

And also receiving the BEM is Oliver Garfield Laffin, who collects his gong for services to the Reserve Forces and the community in Counties Armagh and Down.

Meanwhile, Yvonne Mulholland, the principal of Presentation Primary School in Portadown, is awarded an MBE for services to education.

And the MBE also goes to Catherine Shipman, student activities coordinator at the Southern Regional College, for services to students and young people in Counties Armagh and Down.

Congratulations to all!

A full list of New Years’ Honours recipients is as follows:

Order of the Bath

Companions of the Order of the Bath

 

Award Title Forenames  Surname Gazette Citation
CB Mr Noel Henry LAVERY Permanent Secretary, Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland Executive. For services to Government in Northern Ireland.

 

Order of the British Empire

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

 

Award Title Forenames  Surname Gazette Citation
CBE Mr Alastair David HAMILTON Chief Executive Officer, Invest NI. For services to Economic Development in Northern Ireland.
CBE Ms Cheryl LAMONT For services to Criminal Justice.

 

Order of the British Empire

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

 

Award Title Forenames  Surname Gazette Citation
OBE Mr Andrew George BROWNE Secretary, Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry. For services to victims and survivors of abuse.
OBE Ms Wilma Isobel ERSKINE-HEGGARTY B.E.M. Lately Club Secretary, Royal Portrush Golf Club. For services to Tourism and Golf in Northern Ireland.
OBE Professor Patrick Francis GRAY Chair, Connswater Homes Limited. For services to Housing in Northern Ireland.
OBE Mr John HEALY Managing Director, Allstate Northern Ireland. For services to the Economy in Northern Ireland.
OBE Mrs Olive Paula HILL Executive Director, Invest Northern Ireland. For services to the Economy in Northern Ireland.
OBE Mr Gary LIGHTBODY For services to Music and charity in Northern Ireland.
OBE Mr Timothy LOSTY Director, Northern Ireland Bureau China. For services to International and Community Relations.
OBE Professor Maria Louise MCHUGH Professor of Organisational Behaviour Ulster University and lately Dean, Ulster University Business School. For services to Higher Education and Business Development.
OBE Professor Alan SMITH UNESCO Chair in Education, Ulster University.  For services to Education.
OBE Dr Anthony Baxter STEVENS For services to Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.
OBE Mr Mercer Lindsay TODD Commissioner, Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission. For services to the Justice Sector.

 

Order of the British Empire

Members of the Order of the British Empire

 

Award Title Forenames  Surname Gazette Citation
MBE Mr Robert David BOYD For services to the Arts and to the community in Northern Ireland.
MBE Mrs Emily Florence BRUNT For voluntary service to Education and the community in the West of Northern Ireland.
MBE Mr Raymond Michael BURROWS For services to the Ulster Aviation Society, Heritage Sector and to the community in Northern Ireland.
MBE Mrs Maureen Winifred CAMPBELL For services to Fostering in County Tyrone.
MBE Mrs Paula Marie DAWSON Deputy Principal, Finance and Governance Manager, Northern Ireland Executive. For services to Public Inquiries in Northern Ireland.
MBE The Very Reverend  David DELARGY For services to Music and charity in Northern Ireland.
MBE Mr Andrew Robert  FREEBURN Chief Superintendent, Police Service of Northern Ireland. For services to Policing and the community in Northern Ireland.
MBE Mrs Tracy Helen Pringle HAMILTON Director, Mash Direct. For services to the Northern Ireland Agri-Food Sector.
MBE Mr Aaron William HUGHES For services to Football.
MBE Mrs Karen Jayne HUTCHINSON Head, Northern Ireland Security Guard

Service. For services to Defence. 

MBE Mrs Antonia (Toni) JOHNSON For services to the Arts and the community in County Fermanagh.
MBE Mrs Roseann KELLY Chief Executive Officer, Women in Business. For services to Economic Development in Northern Ireland.
MBE Ms Angela LYNAM Playgroup Leader, Kindertee Community Playgroup, Derrylin. For services to Education.
MBE Professor  Francis Ronald  LYONS Associate Dean for Research and Impact, Ulster University. For services to Higher Education and Music.
MBE Professor  William Michael MAWHINNEY Lately Head, Medicines Regulatory Group. For services to Pharmacy, Medicines Regulation and Public Safety.
MBE Mrs Kay Louise MADDIESON Northern Ireland Office. For public service in Northern Ireland. 
MBE The Very Reverend  Stephen Patrick MCBREARTY For services to Criminal Justice.
MBE Dr Michael Gerard MCKILLOP For services to Disability Awareness and Athletics in Northern Ireland.
MBE Mr Philip MCLAUGHLIN Lately Branch Manager, Strathfoyle Library. For services to the community in Northern Ireland.
MBE Ms Yvonne MULHOLLAND Principal, Presentation Primary School, Portadown. For services to Education.
MBE Ms Eileen Rose  MULLAN For voluntary service in Northern Ireland.
MBE Mrs Ciara Angela NICHOLL Administrative Officer, Enniskillen Jobs and Benefits Office. For services to Bereaved Families in the UK and Ireland.
MBE Reverend Eugene Damien O’HAGAN For services to Music and charity in Northern Ireland.
MBE Reverend Martin O’HAGAN For services to Music and charity in Northern Ireland.
MBE Mrs Catherine SHIPMAN Lately Student Activities Coordinator, Southern Regional College. For services to Students and Young People in County Down and County Armagh.
MBE Mr William John SNODDY For services to the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland.
MBE Mrs Jiemin TOMITA For services to the Chinese community in Northern Ireland.

 

Order of the British Empire

Medallist of the Order of the British Empire 

 

Award Title Forenames  Surname Gazette Citation
BEM Mr William John  ARMSTRONG Reserve Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland. For services to Policing.
BEM Ms Martha Rosalind Elizabeth  BLOOMFIELD For voluntary service to the community in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Leslie Alan  CARSWELL For voluntary service to Scouting in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Gary Robert CHAMBERS Head of Estates and Facilities Management, South Eastern Regional College, Northern Ireland. For services to Education.
BEM Mrs Mary Adams CORKUM Building Supervisor, Ballywalter Primary School. For services to Education.
BEM Mrs Margaret Roslyn DAVIDSON For services to MacMillan Cancer Support in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr William Joseph EAMES For services to the RAF and the community in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.
BEM Mr James William Murray  FAIRBAIRN For services to the community in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Frederick Ivor  FERGUSON For services to the community in Londonderry.
BEM Mr Michael John Armand GAILLARD Producer and Director, Stage Aid. For charitable services.
BEM Mr Thomas Harold GARDINER For services to Business, Employment and the community in Belfast.
BEM Mr John Alexander GIBSON For services to the community in Belfast.
BEM Mr Geoffrey Alan  HEGARTY For services to Young People through the Scouting Movement in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Oliver Garfield  LAFFIN For services to the Reserve Forces and the community in County Down and County Armagh.
BEM Ms Frances  LAVERY For services to Fostering in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mrs Letty  LUCAS For services to Tennis and charity in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Barry  MACAULAY For services to Disability Sport.
BEM Mr George Martin  MACE For services to Sport and the community in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr George  MANN For services to Young People through the Scouting Movement in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Connor  MCCARROLL For services to Running and charity in County Tyrone.
BEM Mr Bernard  MCCOMISKEY For services to Boxing and the community in Gilford, County Down.
BEM Mr Bernard Thomas MCCULLAGH Staff Officer, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland Executive. For voluntary service to the community in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr John Alexander  MCILRATH For services to Sport in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Irwyn MCKIBBIN For services to the community through the Heartbeat NI charity.
BEM Mr John Brian MCMASTER For services to the Army Cadet Force in Northern Ireland.
BEM Ms Sonya MCMULLAN Regional Services Manager, Women’s Aid Northern Ireland.  For services to Victims of Domestic and Sexual Abuse in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr John Joseph Laurence MCNALLY For services to Fundraising and the community in Portrush.
BEM Mr Paul  MICHAEL For services to Local Government in Antrim and Newtownabbey.
BEM Mr Robert John MONTGOMERY Chair, Board of Governors, Castlederg High School and Edwards Primary School. For voluntary service to Education in Castlederg.
BEM Mrs Alison Sally Glenn  MULLAN Security Guard, Health and Social Care Board, Belfast. For services to Healthcare and the community in Northern Ireland.
BEM Father  Patrick Kevin MULLAN For services to Inter-Church Collaboration and Community Relations in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Simon NEILL For services to Music and Community Relations in Belfast.
BEM Ms Susannah Virginia  O’NEILL Bus Driver and Safety Coordinator. For services to Public Transport and to the community in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Barry John  PHILLIPS For services to Employment and Equality in Northern Ireland.
BEM Miss Heather Angela  PLATT For services to Sports Development in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr James Neville POGUE For services to Charitable Fundraising in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mrs Myrtle Winifred POGUE For services to Charitable Fundraising in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Gerard Liam POWER For services to Volunteering, Fundraising and the community in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mrs Alison REDDICK For services to People with Disabilities in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Brian  REID For services to Rugby in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr John (Jack) Alexander REID For services to Sport in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Alan  ROSS For services to the community in Ballymena.
BEM Mr Andrew Conrad ROWAN For services to Music and the community in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mrs Alison Doreen  SMITH For services to the community in East Belfast.
BEM Mr Robert Jeffery  SMITH For service to Policing and the community in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mrs Lynda Joan STOREY Executive Officer, Pay and Allowances, HM Prison Service Headquarters. For public and charitable services.
BEM Mr Norman Alexander TAYLOR T.D. For services to the community in Londonderry.
BEM Mr Thomas Kenneth TAYLOR For services to Business and the community in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Robert THOMPSON For services to Commemoration and Remembrance in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr Michael TODD For services to Horse Racing and Business in Northern Ireland.
BEM Mr James Kenneth  TWYBLE For services to Local Government, Education and the community in Craigavon.
BEM Mrs Denyse Kathleen WALKER Home Start Organiser. For services to Family Welfare in Northern Ireland.

 

Queen’s Police Medal (QPM)

 

Award Title Forenames  Surname Gazette Citation
QPM Mrs Julie Dawn FORSYTHE Detective Sergeant, Police Service of Northern Ireland.
QPM Mr David LOWANS Detective Inspector, Police Service of Northern Ireland.
QPM Mr David James MCILWAINE Sergeant, Police Service of Northern Ireland.

 

Queen’s Fire Service Medal (QFSM)

 

Award Title Forenames  Surname Gazette Citation
QFSM Mr David HARBINSON Station Commander, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue service.

 

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