QUEEN’S HONOURS FOR NI TOP ACHIEVERS

NORTHERN Ireland’s Queen’s birthday honours list is headed by knighthoods for flautist James Galway and the Canadian-born vice-chancellor of Queen’s University, Professor George Bain.

More than 60 people from Northern Ireland’s shores received honours on the Queen’s birthday honour’s list published on Friday June 15 2001.

James Galway, who had previously received an OBE, now becomes Sir James in the diplomatic and overseas list for his services to music. The world famous flautist, who has become known as ‘the man with the golden flute’ began his early career on the Shore Road in Belfast.

The only other knighthood went to George Bain, who has been the vice-chancellor of Queen’s University in Belfast since January 1998. He received the award for services to higher education and to the Low Pay Commission. Although he was born in Canada, Sir George’s mother was born in Belfast and his grandmother ran a dockside pub in the city for almost 30 years.

Secretary of State Dr John Reid congratulated everyone on the Queen’s birthday list: “Everyone in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List has made a significant contribution to improving the lives of people in Northern Ireland. They are from different backgrounds and different walks of life, but they have worked tirelessly for a better future for all and I would like to extend my congratulations to everyone on their awards.”

David Clive Gowdy, who is permanent secretary to the Department of Health in the Northern Ireland Government was bestowed an Order of the Bath title, as was John Thompson who is the director general of the Northern Ireland Court Service.

Among the other recipients, professor Ingrid Victoria Allen from Belfast received a DBE (Dame of British Empire) for services to Medical Research.

OBE’s go to several people for their service in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and to Selina Yuet Kwan Lee for services to the Chinese community in Belfast.

MBE’s go to many people for their outstanding contributions in the public sector, fire services, and police.

Mrs Annie Mary Beatrice Jamison was awarded an MBE for charitable services to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

Miss Helen Lewis, who is a choreographer and teacher, received an MBE for services to Contemporary Dance. The Czech-born Ms Lewis was a founder of Belfast Modern Dance Club and lives in Belfast and has published an autobiography about her experiences as an Auschwitz survivor.

Mrs Nan McCook and Mrs Margaret McGimpsey received MBE’s for services to Fostering and Robert Murray received an award for services to the St John Ambulance Brigade. (AMcE)