“Truly humbled” - figures from Calderdale give their reaction to receiving New Year’s Honours

Halifax man Andrew Unwin says he is “truly humbled” to have been awarded an MBE.

Andrew was given the award for his ‘medicine ball challenge’, which raises awareness and funds for mental health.

Father of three Andrew, 39, is from Sowerby Bridge and lived in Halifax untill he was 19, when he joined The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.

He completed 14 years in the Infantry, serving in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan before transferring to the Military Provost Staff. He is now a military instructor and supervisor at the Military Correctional Training Centre in Colchester.

“The Medicine Ball Challenge is a visual representation of the weight and burden those suffering with mental ill health feel on a daily basis,” he said. “The challenge consists of handcuffing a 3kg medicine ball to your wrist for seven days, only removing it sleeping and driving, to represent the invisible burden of mental ill health.

“The aim is to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and raise money for The Soldiers Charity ABF, Combat Stress, and Mind.”

For more details, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Not_all_wounds_are_visible.

A scout leader from Rastrick says he was shocked to receive an New Year’s Honour for his services to scouting.

Colin Watson, 75, was given an Order of the British Empire (BEM) medal having been involved with St Matthews Scout Group at Rastrick for more than 40 years.

Colin worked as an auto-electrician during his career and says he enjoys being involved with the scouts as much as he always has.

“It was a shock,” he said, “I didn’t know anything about it until three weeks before it was published.

“I’m chuffed that somebody thinks I’ve done enough to achieve something like that.”

Colin’s son Nicholas, who was awarded the same medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours last year, and his grandchildren are also involved in the scouts.

“I just love the atmosphere, seeing children develop, and seeing them as young people when they’ve started work,” Colin said.

“Youngsters we’ve had at the scouts, their children have then come along.

“You’re giving them something to do, activities and everything else.
“To see their faces when they’ve achieved something and done something interesting, it’s all about them being happy doing things.”

Todmorden resident Tim Allen says it’s the proudest moment of his career to be awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

Tim is Prison Group Director for Manchester, Mersey and Cheshire HM Prison and Probation Service and has been given the honour for public service.

The 54-year-old has been in his current role for two years, and was previously governor of Durham Prison for around 10 years, as well as having various other roles around Yorkshire.

“I’m humbled and honoured,” he said. “It came as a bit of a surprise, you don’t expect those sorts of things, but I’m extremely proud.

“I didn’t join the service to get honored in that way, my recognition is seeing people doing well, and trying to do the best for people.

“To get recognition for that is without doubt the best recognition I’ve ever had.”

Amanda Bennett, CEO of Great Heights Academy Trust and Executive Principal of The Greetland Academy was awarded an OBE for services to education in West Yorkshire.

Amanda has written to thank her staff, Governors and the parents of pupils for their support over her career in education to date.

The Trust motto is ‘achieving excellence together’ and Amanda sees the honour she has received as a recognition of the achievements of the many groups and teams of people she is proud to have worked with.

Amanda has been at The Greetland Academy for nearly 25 years and is now the CEO of Great Heights Academy Trust.

She is an active National Leader of Education supporting schools to improve across West Yorkshire.

Working with her team of dedicated Trust leaders and managers she has sought opportunities to develop the Trust’s effectiveness and reach: achieving Teaching School status; becoming a School Centred Initial Teacher Training provider; designation as a national Research School which uses evidence to improve teaching practice; and most recently The Greetland Academy gaining national English Hub status to promote a love of reading and help schools to provide excellent phonics and early language teaching.

Amanda is also the Teaching School Council representative for Lancashire and West Yorkshire, a member of several national steering groups and advisory boards, plus supports other local trusts such as Lightcliffe Academy where she is a member of the Local Governing Body.

Seeing both children and staff develop and progress in their lives always has always encouraged Amanda to recommend teaching as a career which enables young people to achieve their full potential.

She is passionate about locally-based teacher development opportunities and the launch of the Trust’s new ‘Teacher Development Base’ at West Vale Academy is the next phase in this pursuit of excellence. AA Teamworks SCITT trains primary and secondary teachers and both the Trust’s English Hub and Research School lead cutting edge training for school leaders and school staff across West Yorkshire and Lancashire to improve the lives and outcomes for all children within and beyond the Trust The roles of CEO and Executive Principal are always challenging and ever-changing,

Amanda is forever thankful for the ever-present support and love form her close family and friends. She is very proud of her children.

Amanda is so very grateful for the support and hard work of so many people, and looks forward to what we they achieve together in the future.

She hopes to inspire many more teachers, managers and leaders into this wonderfully fulfilling profession.