THREE Barnsley natives have been named alongside David Beckham and darts star Luke Littler in the King’s special Birthday Honours List.
The list recognises celebrities and local community heroes for their achievements or service to the country, by awarding them with honours such as an OBE, MBE or CBE.
The awards are handed out twice a year in the UK - once at new year and then again in June on the monarch’s official birthday.
This year 1,200 people are on the main honours list with the youngest person being honoured aged 11 and the oldest aged 106.
Barnsley Council’s children’s services officer Claire Gilmore has been awarded an MBE for her contributions to children, young people an the community in the town.
With over 20 years’ service, the council say that Claire’s involvement in Barnsley’s early years sector has contributed to the development and implementation of services, policies, and standards that enhance the quality and consistency of early years provision and early childhood services.
During her time at the council, she has led youth services and youth justice services.
While she has also spearheaded local innovation in developing a multi-agency contextual safeguarding response to ensure children and young people remain safe, including the launch of a dedicated Youth Hub at Commerce House.
She said: “I’m deeply honoured to be recognised in the King’s birthday honours.
“I’ve dedicated my career to supporting the children, young people and families of Barnsley, and we’ve seen some great progress and successes.
“I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and the community, who have supported me throughout my career.”( Carly Speechley, executive director of children’s services, expressed her gratitude for Claire.
She said: “Claire’s commitment and achievements are truly inspiring. This award is well-deserved, and I am proud to have such a remarkable person in my team, and we’re incredibly lucky to have her supporting the transformation of services for children, young people and families in Barnsley.”
Coun Trevor Cave added: “This is a great achievement for Claire.
“She is an ambassador and champion for Barnsley’s youngest residents, and I’m very grateful for everything she has done in our borough.”
Former miner Paul Tarn left school without any worthwhile qualifications and followed his dad and grandfather into the puts where he worked for ten years.
While he was working in the pits he attended night school before becoming a qualified teacher in 1995.
He is now the chief executive officer of Delta Academies Trust - which has Darton Academy under its wing - and has improved schools across the country.
In the King’s birthday honours he was awarded the Knight Bachelor (Kt).
Sir Paul said: “I’m humbled by the award and moved that my colleagues and fellow professionals want to recognise my contribution to our education system.
“I’d like to pay tribute to the work of my colleagues and the team at Delta Academies Trust that I am very privileged to lead.
“The friends I have made through the work of The Education Exchange have reaffirmed my belief that education attracts special people and that those following our vocation change lives.”
Karen Anne Allen, the deputy director of the northern place-based team and European social fund programmes at the Department for Education also received an OBE.
