Wirralians recognised for work in health and education in Queen’s birthday honours list

Jun 16 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

WIRRALIANS were recognised by the Queen in her birthday honours list last week.

Jo Wood, of Moreton was awarded the MBE in recognition of her work at Wirral’s Rape and Sexual Abuse centre (RASA).

Another recipient of the MBE was Pauline Cocker, of Birkenhead, former chairman of the Corporation, Birkenhead Sixth Form College, for voluntary service to education.

Judith Greensmith was given a CBE for services to the NHS in Merseyside. She is chairman of the Royal Liverpool Hospital but lives in Wirral.Professor Sir Ian Gilmore of Heswall, the current president of the Royal College of Physicians, was knighted.

And Allan Williams, 62, of Wallasey, who manages the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside’s office, was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO).

Jo, of Moreton, was born and brought up in Wirral but left in 1979 for work and study.

She returned 19 years later to settle in the area with her two children and started working at RASA in 2004.

She is now responsible for the voluntary organisation and charity’s finance and strategic development.

She said: “I was absolutely stunned when I found out. I got the letter at the end of April but you’re not allowed to say anything because the Queen has to announce it first.

“My first reaction was that somebody was having a laugh! When we realised it was real I was absolutely elated and very proud.

“It means that somebody somewhere believes what we’re doing is right. We scream and shout about things and it shows someone is listening!”

Father-of-three Mr Williams, who helps organise royal visits to Merseyside and supports the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead, said: “It’s fantastic. You do the job because that’s what you’re paid for and you’re very fortunate to do it.

“This is the icing on the cake. It’s a special privilege to be recognised. The Royal Victorian Order is a gift of the Queen personally.”

Sir Ian, who has three children, has chaired a working party with the Royal College of Physicians on the cost of alcohol to the NHS.

He said: “I am delighted to receive the honour. I feel it reflects the hard work which has gone on at the Royal College of Physicians and the hospital by the whole team, not just me.”

KNIGHTED

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore

CBE

Judith Greensmith

MBE

Pauline Cocker

Jo Wood

MVO

Allan Williams