British Empire Medals invested by Lord-Lieutenant

Four people who were awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours list, have received their decorations from Dunbartonshire’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Jill Young MBE.

Jim McLaren was awarded the BEM for services to people with disabilities and older people in Clydebank and Glasgow. His investiture was conducted at the premises of his charity, the Golden Friendships Club, in Dalmuir.

Jim McLaren founded the Golden Friendships Club in 2017 with the simple aim of providing a weekly karaoke event for people with special needs. The club has grown into a vibrant community hub and Jim has made it his mission over several years to learn about the practical and emotional needs of disabled, special needs and elderly people and finding ways to help them.

From the outset Jim wanted the club to be open more than one afternoon a week so he worked tirelessly to raise funds to purchase the building and allow multiple events to be held daily. Not content with providing a meeting space, Jim moved on to adapt the building for up to 50 wheelchair users and their carers. The ‘Red Ramp’ wheelchair accessible entertainment events now held are an example of the club’s attention to the needs of wheelchair users.

The investiture was attended by the Provost of West Dunbartonshire, Karen Murray Connaghan and Maureen Cummings DL read the citation.

Stein Connelly, who has received the BEM for service to transport resilience, has until lately been an official with Transport Scotland. He led an organisation delivering reassurance and advice through Traffic Scotland at times of challenging conditions.

His talent for distributing accurate and effective travel advice was recognised by the Scottish media and he has hundreds of TV and radio broadcasts to his name. Stein would provide an authoritative voice ahead of weather alerts which allowed businesses and individual travellers to prepare and make informed decisions regarding their journeys.

As a result of his work, transport resilience is enhanced and fewer individuals put themselves in danger.

The investiture at Clydebank Town Hall was attended by Provost Karen Murray Connaghan and Sandie Scott DL read the citation.

Anne MacDougall has a distinguished record of volunteering in Clydebank and received her BEM for services to the community.

With 35 years of NHS service in hospitals, district nursing and senior management, she has a depth of knowledge and experience which she has put to good use since her retirement. She is a volunteer for several local and national bodies which promote patient welfare and improved care in the community. Anne began volunteering over 40 years ago following a car break-in while on her district rounds. This event prompted her to join the Clydebank Crime Prevention Panel. She held the position of Chair for over 20 years and helped lead many campaigns with the Police to reduce crime.

The investiture at Clydebank Town Hall was attended by Provost Karen Murray Connaghan and Mark Billington DL read the citation.

Robert Smith was awarded the BEM for services to charity and the community in East Dunbartonshire. He is the Chief Executive Officer of the charity, Group Recovery Aftercare Community Enterprise known as “GRACE,’ which he founded.

The objective of GRACE is to help some of the most disadvantaged individuals in society like people with poor mental or physical health, disability, addiction, the elderly, the isolated and those with many other issues. GRACE started out running sessions in Hillhead in East Dunbartonshire where Robert wanted to help people experiencing problems with mental health and addiction. He wanted to encourage people to learn new skills and hobbies and make friends.

To fulfil these aims, GRACE runs diverse sessions such as yoga, digital learning, writing, gardening and other activities. These classes help foster self-confidence and make people feel valued. An example of the effort Robert makes is the response of GRACE during the COVID pandemic.

WhatsApp groups were quickly set up, parcels delivered and an web of community support established to help many vulnerable locals. GRACE established a group called ‘Sharing Time’ which brings many diverse charities together to ensure best practice and promote co-perative and efficient working.

Food and Clothing are also provided via the ‘Help Yourself “ hub to assist those struggling because of the cost of living. NHS Glasgow have commissioned GRACE to help deliver a national campaign to help break down stigma and social inequality.

The investiture at Clydebank Town Hall was attended by Provost Karen Murray Connaghan and Professor Elaine Boyd DL read the citation.

Mrs Young said, 'each recipient thoroughly deserves the honour they have received. It is a fitting tribute to them for the excellent work they have done and continue to do in our community, to help people and make a difference to their lives.'

Eleven people from Dunbartonshire have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

The awards range from Commander of the order of the British Empire (CBE) to Member of the Order (MBE) to the British Empire Medal (BEM.)

Professor Ewan MacDonald from Kirkintilloch, the Professor and Head of the Healthy Working Lives Group at the University of Glasgow, has been awarded the CBE for services to Occupational Medicine and to Reducing Health Inequalities.

Businessman and Philanthropist, John Watson from Bearsden, has also been awarded the CBE. His award is in recognition of services to Education and Charity.

Dr Catherine Hutchison from Bearsden, a consultant nurse at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, receives the  MBE for services to Cancer Nursing.

Dr Richa Sinha from Bearsden, the Dunbartonshire Chair of the Scottish Hindu Foundation, has been awarded the MBE for services to the Hindu Community in Scotland and to tackling Hinduphobia.

Eric Brownlie from Lenzie, the Assistant Principal, curriculum and quality enhancement at Glasgow Clyde College, receives the MBE for services to Further Education.

Inspector James Dalgleish from Helensburgh, an officer with the Clyde Marine Unit of the Ministry of Defence Police, receives the MBE for services to defence policing.

Lynn Laughland, the Chief Executive of HRM Homecare Services, receives the MBE for services to Improving Care Services.

Stein Connelly from Dumbarton, Head of Transport Resilience at Transport Scotland receives the BEM For services to transport resilience.

Anne Marie MacDougall from Clydebank receives the BEM for volunteer work in the  community.

James McLaren from Dalmuir is awarded the BEM for services to people with disabilities and older people in Clydebank and Glasgow.

Robert Smith from Kirkintilloch, Chief Executive of Group Recovery Aftercare Community Enterprise, receives the BEM for services to charity and to the community in East Dunbartonshire.

Dunbartonshire’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Jill Young MBE, has invested three local people recognised in His Majesty the King’s New Year’s Honours List at a ceremony in Clydebank Town Hall.

Linda Robertson was awarded the MBE for services to Ukrainian refugees, Audrey Mutongi-Darko received the British Empire Medal for services to tackling loneliness and isolation in older people in Scotland and Lorraine McInnes, a fundraiser for Maggies cancer charity in Glasgow, received the BEM for services to charity.

The ceremony was hosted by Provost of West Dunbartonshire Council, Councillor Karen Murray Conaghan.

Also in attendance from the Lieutenancy were Vice Lord-Lieutenant James Rogers DL, Maureen Cummings DL, Rev Dom Ind DL and Kenneth Grieve DL.

Two Dunbartonshire stalwarts have been recognised for service to the community at a ceremony where they received the British Empire Medal from the Lord-Lieutenant.

His Majesty King Charles awarded the BEM to John Rodgers from Dumbarton for services to football.

 The King rewarded Joan Cameron from Bearsden for service to the Samaritans charity.

The awards were made in the King's Birthday Honours List.

Joan joined the charity in 1974 during a career break to bring up her children and is still active. 

John has spent nearly 60 years with the St Patrick's club in Dumbarton and admits to being a terrible player but has been involved in one backroom capacity or another with St Pat's for 58 years.

John and Joan received their medals at the investiture in Clydebank Town Hall, attended by friends and family and local dignitaries.

Back L-R Kenneth Grieve DL, Nick Allan DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant Jim Rogers DL, Margaret Stewart DL, Maureen Cummings DL.

Front L-R Karen Murray Conaghan, Provost of West Dunbartonshire, John Rodgers BEM, Joan Cameron BEM, Mrs Jill Young MBE, Lord Lieutenant.

The founder of Campsie Accordion and Fiddle Club, Billy Hutton, has been presented with the British Empire Medal at a ceremony in Kirkintilloch.

He was awarded the BEM for services to Music and to the Community in Dunbartonshire, having founded the Campsie Accordion and Fiddle Club at the Glazert Country Hotel in Lennoxtown and run it for 30 years.

Billy said, “I have always loved music, my father was a musician and my aunt a church organist, I think I have music in my genes. We had a band playing at our Silver Wedding Anniversary party and the idea of setting up a club came to me that night. I got some musicians together and we started the club and we’ve been going strong ever since. We have a guest band come to play each month and individual players also get up and perform for everyone – it is always a great night and I thoroughly enjoy it.

Billy continued, “I am very honoured to receive the BEM and would like to thank my family, the club committee and the local community for all their support over the years.”

Lord-Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, Mrs Jill Young MBE, presented Billy with his BEM on behalf of His Majesty the King at an investiture in the Council headquarters.

Mrs Young said, “For many years Billy has shared his love of music with his local community, providing an opportunity for people to come together to be entertained or to perform. His commitment to the Campsie Accordion and Fiddle Club has been unwavering and this dedication has been recognised, both by the BEM and the awards he has received from the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs.'

“There are many elements to the work that I do as Lord-Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, but meeting people like Billy who have made such a positive impact on their communities, is undoubtedly the highlight.”

The monthly club nights attract around 100 music lovers from the East Dunbartonshire area and further afield and the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs has awarded the club the ‘Club of the Year’ award four times.  Billy himself has received the ‘Club Supporter of the Year’ award three times for his dedication to providing his community with a night of great music every month from September to May since the club launched.

East Dunbartonshire Provost, Gillian Renwick, said, “Billy was born and bred in Milton of Campsie and is a well-respected and much-admired member of the Campsie community and indeed the Accordion and Fiddle Club community.

“Billy is often off visiting Accordion and Fiddle Clubs all over the country, playing drums or listening to other performers. He has brought the music he loves to the people of East Dunbartonshire and will have undoubtedly touched the lives of many over the years. He is so well regarded that his club has written a song about him to honour his contribution over so many years.

The Investiture was also attended by Vice Lord-Lieutenant Miss Linda Moffat RD DL and Deputy Lieutenant Dr Gill Aikenhead MBE DL Hon DEd. 

The Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Jill Young MBE, invested three local residents at a ceremony held recently at Kilmardinny House in Bearsden.

Mr Don Martin from Kirkintilloch was invested as a Member of the British Empire for services to Libraries and to Heritage in Scotland.

Ms Melody Whitley from Balloch was invested with the British Empire Medal as a Community Champion for services to Homeless People in Glasgow.

Mr Ah Yee Shek from Kirkintilloch was invested with the British Empire Empire as a Community Champion for services to the Chinese Community in Scotland.

Councillor Gillian Renwick, Provost of East Dunbartonshire Council, kindly hosted the event which was attended by friends and family of the recipients who enjoyed an afternoon tea after the ceremonies and music provided by the East Dunbartonshire Schools orchestra.

The Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Jill Young, presented the British Empire Medal to Mr Peter Law from Milngavie at a ceremony in Clydebank Town Hall on April 21st.

Peter was awarded his BEM in the 2022 New Years Honours list for his voluntary services to Advanced Higher Physics Education in Glasgow.

 DL Mrs Anne O’Hagan read the citation after which Mr Law was presented with his medal.

BEM awarded to Mrs Margaret MacInnes by Lord-Lieutenant Jill Young MBE

(Andrew Nicholson JP DL, AC Joanne Durnan, Mrs M MacInnes BEM, Mr MacInnes, Jill Young MBE)

Mrs Margaret MacInnes BEM is invested with the British Empire Medal by Lord-Lieutenant Jill Young MBE. The award was made for services to Highland Dancing and the community in Helensburgh. The ceremony took place at the Civic Centre. Helensburgh on 20 November 2021.

BEM awarded to Mrs Margaret MacInnes by Lord-Lieutenant Jill Young MBE

Mrs Margaret MacInnes BEM is invested with the British Empire Medal by Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Jill Young MBE. The award was made for services to Highland Dancing and the community in Helensburgh. The ceremony took place at the Civic Centre, Helensburgh on 20 November 2021.

BEM Presentations - Bearsden October 2021

Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Jill Young MBE, conducted an investiture ceremony in Bearsden for five people, front row from left to right, Mr Parminder Purewal BEM, Mrs Elizabeth S Saunders BEM, Lieutenant Commander Ian McInnes MBE Royal Navy, Mrs Margarita Sweeney-Baird BEM and Mr Tom Herbert BEM.

Mrs Margarita Sweeney-Baird BEM is invested with the British Empire Medal by Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jill Young MBE. The award was made for services to ice skating. The ceremony took place at Kilmardinny House in Bearsden on October 17th 2021.

Mr Thomas Herbert BEM is invested with the British Empire Medal by Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jill Young MBE. The award was made for services to the provision of chemotherapy services in East Dunbartonshire and to purchasing for universities. The ceremony took place at Kilmardinny House in Bearsden on October 17th 2021.

Mr Parminder Purewal BEM is invested with the British Empire Medal by Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jill Young MBE. The award was made for services to the hospitality industry and the local community. The ceremony took place at Kilmardinny House in Bearsden on October 17th 2021.

Mrs Elizabeth S Saunders BEM is invested with the British Empire Medal by Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jill Young MBE. The award was made for services to the residential community at Waverley Court in Helensburgh. The ceremony took place at Kilmardinny House in Bearsden on October 17th 2021.