New Years Honours.
 

If you were in charge of the New Years honours list who would you single out to receive an honour and why?

I would nominate Dr Merton Seigleman.
He is the man who founded the Hospice on Park Lee Road.
When I was a Student Nurse working at the Royal Infirmary, he was a Consultant Anaesthetist...he came to do lectures for us and I remember him as a very gentle, kind and compassionate man.
I know that the founding of the hospice has made a great impact on the lives of people and families in our locality....and he would be my nomination.

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Nominating someone for an honour : Directgov - Government, citizens and rights

Maybe you should consider the above, Margaret.

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Nominate him. Anyone can nominate anyone else.

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People like that are proper deserving of n honour in my book.;)

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I would rather nominate the arsehole of the year.
There would be a hell of a lot of contenders for that title.
Retlaw.

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Thankyou Gynn.....I didn't know you could do that.

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Didn't your Ma get a mention in the honours

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I don't wish to debase this thread, nor to go off-thread, but I was infuriated to hear last year that a scarecrow had been awarded am MBE - for being oustanding in his field.

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Yes, Max....my Ma was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community....though if I am honest, I think she should have had putty medal long before that for keeping us rumbustious lot in some kind of order :)

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Bob......go and stand in the corner. That was a terrible joke!
I thought you were going to have come up with some local person who you felt deserved an accolade.

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stephen hawkins for his relentless and thankless promotion of robot wars

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Amazing story of East Lancashire Hospice founder (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Here is some information about Merton Seigleman. A really good man.
I know he has an MBE...but he should be knighted. He has helped so many people.

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So thats what you've been up to, found your right niche at last. :theband:

Retlaw

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Ya in fact I have some old forms somewhere in my files, but its not that simple really, you have to get numerous letters to support your nomination, its very time consuming and very tedious work

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Now that does take some doing Margaret, trying for another honour after receiving one already and I'm not sure that the GP can nominate anybody for a knighthood, though I maybe wrong

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I did once look at nominating someone, but was put off by the amount of support needed from others. I think that Ken Hargreaves already has a gong. but if not I would nominate him.

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Sir Steve Kean for services to Burnley supporters.

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Ken Hargreaves already has the M.B.E.. would you want to re-nominate him for presiding over the mass destruction of the industry in Accrington and the North West by his Government?

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Good to see some unsung heroes getting awards. I thought the Christopher Preddie story was particularly inspiring and relevant to life in 2011 Britain.

New Year honours: Recognition for unsung heroes in the public sector | UK news | The Guardian

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.....and delighted to see Alex Crawford of Sky News getting the OBE. Her bravery in reporting the war in Libya was incredible.

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Ya Ken already as the MBE Bob

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Think Mancie should get one for services to the brewing industry;)

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That comment explains a lot= "Yer a Dingle" So i shall have to make allowances, Have a good 2012. P.M.S.L.

:D

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Ya we can rightfully induct him into the loyal order of the great and wonderful John Bond:rolleyes:

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Just read in the Telegraph that Professor John Wallwork, has be given a CBE in the honours list, recognition for his work in transplant surgery

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Should be a knighthood at the very least. Great man.

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Notice the chap who got 12 months nick in the Guiness Scandal, who happens to be a large funder of cameron n his cronies,has got n honour, funny thing that.:rolleyes: still suppose the Bankers have robbed us all, so why not?:rolleyes:

As usual I haven't had a mention in these awards, but then, I'm far too modest to use what I know to my own advantage.

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Lets not go down the road of Blairs cash for honours shall we, kettle calling black again cashy;)

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Wrong is Wrong,no matter who by.:rolleyes:That seems to be a fact yeh happily ignore.

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Well no, but around 20 to 2 ratio is a bit overkill really;)

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In my opinion....and it is only my opinion, I do not think that TV stars, sports celebrities and the like, should be eligible for honours unless they have done something truly outstanding....something that really makes a difference to the sick, the poor, the disadvantaged......they should not get honours for just doing their job...it debases the honours system.
Honours should be given to those who have selflessly served and given their time to their communities. Made day to day lives more bearable.

And yes Cashy, you are right....it doesn't matter who trashed the honours list by seeling the honours...or by giving them to seedy/sleazy/dishonest characters.......it is wrong, full stop.

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Totally agree Margaret - they only get the honours because they bring kudos to the country, with Olympic medals etc, not because they do anything out of the ordinary in their field.

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Yes, and they are already well known, they do not need to be brought into the public gaze, for something that they are already well paid to do. We already see enough of their preening and courting the press......I would like to see honours confined to those who work tirlessly for a cause, or a community.

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I object strongly to the preponderance in the Honours List of Civil Servants and Quangocrats. Why must they be offered medals just for turning up to do a job for which they are already well, some might say over, paid?

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spot on A-B.

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Surely its BECAUSE they bring kudos, that they get the award?

I agree completely about the bureaucrats who don't deserve an award. I once knew a civil servant who got an MBE simply for reaching a certain grade. It devalues the system.

But sportsmen who bring glory to the UK, like Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy, deserve a reward for boosting the national spirit. IMHO.

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Well said!

Sport requires an immense amount of sacrifice to reach certain levels and to compete and win at international level is good for the country's image. I wonder if those who are against awards for sport's personalities were against the Olympics coming to Britain this year.:rolleyes:

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No! I think the Olympics are a good thing despite all the whingers. I know that to do well at sport is hard work but so is anything if you do it properly.

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Winning an Olympic medal or World Title IS the top in a sportsman's field. You are talking years of sacrifice leading up to one moment of glory - if it was that easy and just required doing something properly they would all be winners, surely?

On another tack, i didn't realise that it was possible for people from overseas and Non-commonwealth to gain honours. Saw on a quiz show here yesterday that the Italian Director Federico Fellini had been knighted in 2004. I think there are others this year too -don't know if it is very common and what the criteria are.

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In the main, yes. The olympics are an unnecessary expense and although you are going to tell me that they will bring in much needed tourist revenue, it won't make a profit.
We, the taxpayers will be footing the deficit.
Hasn't sport had it's own share of sleaze and double dealing recently?
As far as sacrifices being made, to reach certain levels, the sportsmen are doing what they choose to do, they have sponsors and are given handsome rewards........they do not clock in....it isn't exactly working down the mine...and they get recognition.....they do not need the extra recognition that these honours bring with them. Their reward is in being able to represent their country.

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Oh...perhaps I should say that I am not a fan of sport at all...and am looking for a quiet cave in which to spend the time that the olympics will be 'wall to wall' on TV.

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Don't forget the European Football Championships are on prior to the Olympics, better get that cave well stocked Margaret:D

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Busy year all round - don't forget Wimbledon Twice this year as it's the Olympic venue also, sport, sport and more sport, then The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and at some point perhaps Lady Thatcher's funeral:rolleyes::D

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Oh, Hell and damnation! New Years Day is not a favourite of mine.......I always think that the new Year has lumps of stuff in it that I am not going to like......Dianne, you have just confirmed a whole wedge of the year with stuff in it I absolutely detest.
I think I might just go and find myself a nunnery....a silent order.

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Nick Clegg would win that one, hands down.

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Wouldn't be so sure. :D Isn't it more like, "Although I've been nominated, it's about everyone involved !" ;)

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Although i'm a big fan on certain sports, i dont think they should get n award, were all aware to reach the top,much hard work is involved,as it is in any industry, i was always under the impression there were a few awards anyway, "Sportsperson Of the Year" fer one, i for one think honours should be a bit more deserved n that.;)

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Cashy, that is exactly the point that I meant to make.

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Count me in on that as well.

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Yeh did make that point Margaret, just brought me to the conclusion, that its better made coming from a Sports Fan.;)

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I also came to the conclusion,that Sports Stars/Famous People, have a big advantage oer ordinary folk getting honours. I base that on reading the link Gynn,i think put on, on the basis that much weight has to be behind the nomination! These people are well known,loved by many, so therefore it must be much easier to get the support needed?

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Whoops.

Wrong thread.

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I draw a line at today's footballers, getting awards, when you think that a footballer got fined £200,000 (a weeks wage) and dropped for a match for having dinner out with his wife and friends (thanks fergie:D) tells me all I want to know about modern day football, getting paid squillians for doing something you like doing

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As I've said before on this subject, I don't agree with the honours system.

The majority of worthy people, will not be rewarded by a glittering prize, nor expect it.

Some recipients make the whole thing risible.

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One thing that always had me thinking was when David Trippier lost his seat in parliament he was honoured with a knighthood:confused: David was a really nice chap, met him on numerous occasions, was a good MP, yet JKH had to wait years of the MBE and it he was nominated from within the community and certainly wasn't for anything he did politically. It was for his tireless work for his own hometown people, in numerous charities, something he carried on doing into his 70s although now due to his own poor health he's now taking a well earned rest, but even then he had to be told to do it. Ken Hargreaves is one of the most selfless people I have ever met, always putting other people before himself, if anybody should be called Sir its Ken

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OK -so on the whole it's just the extended old boy's network giving themselves a collective pat on the back.

A continuation of school prize night when we were young. I used to treasure my Wardleworth's book token, receiving it was the highlight of the year. Such was the excitement in my life back then -though come to think of it they were the last awards I was ever given:o (unless you count tennis trophies!).

In any case, I bet you'd be off like a shot to the palace if you got one -think I'll nominate you for a Knighthood next time round, I'm sure I'd find other suporters of the nomination here on Accyweb.

Does HM still give it with a sword and say "Arise, Sir G...", I wonder :rolleyes: you'd enjoy that, admit it! :D

By the way, what does one have to do to get into the Knights of the Garter - apart from being "of gentle blood" and "not a hedge-born swain";):D
"HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE"

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Ya her maj still does the tapping on the shoulder bit when bestowing a knighthood:)

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Er...no I wouldn't.

I may be many things, but I am a man of my word.

I don't believe in the honours system.

Doubly so, as a republican.

Remember, for every nice lollipop lady, there's also a hundred Whitehall pen pushers, receiving a similar gong.

Merely for getting the 7.20 to Waterloo every day...after already being paid a more than generous salary, for their efforts.

Personally I think the whole antiquated system stinks, and should be scrapped.

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You're not saying you don't know what OBE stands for are you?;)

Other Buggers' Efforts.

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Idem -though i do love the idea of the chivalrous knights of old.:o:D

As to Republics i only have first hand experience of one and as far as I can see Italy's Second Republic is far worse than the UK's Constitutional Monarchy in most ways. (The first was short-lived during Napolean's time)

There is far more bureaucracy = more Civil Servants, some of whom retire after 15 yrs service on fat pensions.

The political system is less democratic eg Mario Monti a Prime Minister who has never been elected by the people.

There are more politicians at every level from local - national, and they are some of the highest paid in Europe.

They effectively have a "House of Lords" in the form of the Senate.

There is an Honours system which rarely includes ordinary people -The Cavalieri del Lavoro (Knights of Work) are mainly industrialists and to become a Life Senator is a really great meal ticket - they get something like 9,000 euros a month for doing nothing.

Successive governments from 1945 on have served to feather the beds of the new aristocracy who effectively are the political class. So at the end of the day it's just more of the same - and probably worse.

As an interesting footnote :There was another Republic during the war started by Mussolini - known as the Republic of Salò it was based in Gargnano on Lake Garda where Mussolini resided between 1943-45 in the Villa Feltrinelli -a beautiful place which witnessed much madness in those years.(See photo).:)

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Funnily enough, this Christmas I watched Pasolini's infamous, and until recently banned film, Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma.

Ok, I'll wear it.

Present me with your A.S.S.C.

In honour of another shared spooky coincidence.

:D

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By the way, I've nothing against people like Marg P's Ma being recognised for her good work in the community.

It's the Sir Eltons and Micks, and Whitehall mandarins, who debase the current system, in my opinion.

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Have never seen the film (only seen Il Bel Antonio of his -which is good) it hasn't ever aired on Italian TV because of censorship even now.
If it's as graphic as the story is portrayed I'm not sure I'd stomach all of it - even though artistically it's been recognised and is a metaphor of the orgy of madness which occured here under facism.

Am honoured to share the spooky coincidence also -was the use of Honour intentional here I wonder;):D

(Still think you'd make a cool Knight though!:rolleyes::cool:)

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I can only imagine that for your average person it's the high-point of a lifetime.

Mum sent off for my Grand-parent's Diamond wedding Anniversary to get a card from The Queen, while they were not particularly royalist I remember it was appreciated!

The only people I've met who had "gongs" were my old boss at Uni., Prof. Sir David Smith - for his work at the Royal Society. A very unassuming man, typical academic.

And Lord Anthony Quinton of Holwell -President of Trinity College, who was one of Thatcher's economic advisors as well as an academic. On the surface a bit pompous but actually a very nice man one to one. (Well, I did go for dinner at the House of Lords with him once:D)

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I remember Anthony Quinton on Round Britain Quiz on Radio 4, along with my quiz heroine, Irene Thomas.

Irene Thomas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Spelt his title wrong -should read Holywell -after Holywell Street, where the Holywell Music Rooms are in Oxford!

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Watched David Cameron's live presentation of the StartUp Britain campaign on SKY earlier. Interesting question from a journalist about the possibility of Sir Fred Goodwin's Knighthood being revoked.

Cameron said it was in the hands of the committee which deliberates such matters and that it was a possibility.

I didn't realise that you could be stripped of these kind of honours but in his case I'm sure a lot of people would be glad to see him demoted to "commoner" again.:rolleyes::D

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Well he would say that cos its non commital,Whats the betting he keeps it?:rolleyes:

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Well, there have been others who have had their honours removed.......the boxer Prince Naseem Hamid had his honour withdrawn after a driving offence.

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True Margaret but he was n ordinary oik, Money tends to look after money! n yeh say your cynical?:DPlus he wasn't made a sir.

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No, you are right Cashy. I guess we will just have to wait and see....the groundswell of opinion is against Fred the Shred, and it would do David Cameron no harm at all if he did get his knighthood removed....and it might happen just for that reason, and that reason only. See....I am still cynical.

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Lester Piggott was stripped of his O.B.E., after being found guilty of tax fraud.

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Roger Casement, a distinguished diplomat in the Belgian Congo, who was convicted of spying in the First World War because of his involvement in the 1916 Irish Easter Rising, forfeited his knighthood and was executed.

Maybe we should look for some parallels there.....:(

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Yeh mean execute "Fred The Shread"? what a good idea gynn.:D

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Yes and a few of his greedy cronies with him...that would wipe the self-satisfied smirk off his face.

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I think that's going a bit too far,gynn, a bit harsh!
Let him keep his Knighthood and just execute him.

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That would be Ok too...as long as they were also able to seize his assets.

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Ouch! Sounds painful! I know they used to pull on a persons feet to speed things up but that's a new one on me.
Or would that be before they hanged him, Margaret?

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You are pulling my leg Gordon! :D

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Thats a bit like killing two birds with one stone Gordon, but its a good idea;)