On Saturday 17 June 2023, HM The King’s Birthday Honours were announced with several Cumbrians receiving an honour.
Eleven Cumbrians have been awarded an honour in The King’s Birthday Honours list which was published in the official newspaper of the Crown, The Gazette.
The honours recognise the achievements and service of people across the UK, from all walks of life. Along with the New Year Honours, the Birthday Honours are the most significant announcements of civilian and military awards.
Cumbrian recipients include:
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
Philip Michael Cook, Carlisle - For services to Further Education
Lisa Anne Crausby, Brampton - For services to Education
Jonathon Hugh Christopher Saxton, Keswick - For services to the Charitable Sector
Michelle Prudencear Skeer QPM, Carlisle – Chief Constable, for services to Policing
Dr Rex Strong, Newton Arlosh - For services to the Civil Nuclear Industry
Members of the Order of the British Empire
Gareth Boswell Browning, Cockermouth - For services to Forestry and Nature Recovery
Caroline Marie Hamilton, Wigton - For services to Business and to Engineering
Barbara Ann Johnson, Barrow in Furness - For services to Social Care
Lynn Willis, Whitehaven - For services to Business
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire
Claudia Helen Walker, Keswick - For services to Young People in Cumbria
Eleanor Walsh, Cockermouth - For services to Swimming and to the community in Cockermouth, Cumbria
Honour Nominations:
Anyone can nominate someone for a UK Honour through the 'open access' system and these are awarded to people from all walks of life.
The final decision as to who receives an honour is first decided by an Honours Committee and their recommendations go to the Prime Minister and finally to HM The King for approval. The process can take up to 18 months with recipients of honours announced in HM The King’s New Year’s Honours List and HM The King’s Birthday Honours List in June each year.
More information about the nominations can be found on the UK Government website.
Mrs Claire Hensman, HM Lord-Lieutenant for Cumbria, said:
“I congratulate everyone who has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list. Receiving an honour is a significant achievement and I am pleased to see that Cumbrians have been acknowledged.
“If you know someone who always goes the extra mile for others and who has made a special contribution to their community or their area of work over the years, I encourage you to consider nominating them for an honour.
“These honours are special and reflect the great work that dedicated people in the county continue to do daily, often in a voluntary capacity, in our local communities.”