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. |
