Well known swimming teacher Brenda Bland has been awarded an MBE for services to Swimming in Great Britain while Dr Martin Raby, Principal at Hartlepool’s Northern School of Art, has been given an OBE for services to Higher Education.
And Caroline Tyerman, lately Lead Practitioner, SEND and Inclusion at Brougham Primary School, has been awarded a BEM for Services to Education.
Brenda, 77, started out as a competitive swimmer for Hartlepool Swimming Club and progressed from club chaperone to Team Manager for Team England and ultimately Team GB Olympic Swimming Team Manager at the 2000 Sydney event.
She told Hartlepool Life she was informed six weeks ago but had to keep it a secret. “We didn’t even tell our daughters – we just kept it quiet as we were instructed,” she said. “I’m quite surprised, and obviously honoured, and I feel very privileged and overwhelmed by it all really.”
Dr Raby’s award recognises his leadership during a period of significant progress that has seen the School of Art become one of the UK’s leading specialist providers of creative education
He said: “I am delighted to receive this honour, which reflects the remarkable achievements of The Northern School of Art and the dedication of everyone associated with it.”
Across Teesside, Reuben Kench, chair of Stockton and Darlington Rail Heritage Partnership, was awarded an MBE for Services to Heritage and Geoffrey Hill, chair of RAF Middleton St George Memorial Association, received a BEM for voluntary services to Aviation History.
