SEVEN county men and women have been honoured by The Queen in the New Year honours.
Laura Young, co-founder of the Teapot Trust, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her services to chronically ill children, while Diane Watt was made an MBE for her work with the Children’s Hearings system in the region.
A further five people with East Lothian connections, including a former Commonwealth Games medallist and a stalwart of Dunbar’s RNLI, were given the British Empire Medal (BEM).
Laura Young (pictured above) and her husband John, who live in Gullane, set up the Teapot Trust in 2010 after experiencing gaps in the care provided for their daughter Verity, who suffered from Lupus and also battled cancer before her tragic death, aged just eight, in 2009.
The Teapot Trust aims to provide hospital-based art therapy to children with chronic illnesses and in 2015 provided almost 3,000 hours of therapy at hospitals across Scotland as well as Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, reaching 5,215 youngsters.
Laura said: “Being given an MBE is a great honour. Of course, the award is testament to the contribution of our therapists, support team, volunteers and very kind donors that make our work possible.
“Our operations are steadily expanding and although we are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved in 2015 we want to place more art therapists in hospitals further afield.”
And Diane Watt was delighted to have received her MBE in recognition of her work with the Children’s Hearings System in Mid and East Lothian, and the Borders.
The 60-year-old (pictured above), who is chairwoman of the area support team for Mid and East Lothian and the Scottish Borders, was “over the moon” after being recognised for more than 20 years voluntary service.
She told the Courier: “I was so shocked when I got the letter through. I’ve been involved for the last 23 years, and have changed my role a few times but I’m still fully committed to the panel.
“It’s all about getting the best for the most vulnerable young people in the community.
“All of the Children’s Hearings System volunteers in both East Lothian and Scotland-wide are passionate about the system and our role within it. All of our volunteers deserve to be recognised and I really was fortunate that in this Honours list it was me.
“The system is life-changing for the children and young people that we deal with and also for those of us who volunteer within it.
“I’m absolutely delighted.”
Meanwhile, Christine Black (pictured above) was celebrating a BEM on holiday in Tenerife.
The county’s badminton development officer is celebrating 20 years of working in East Lothian and celebrated by picking up a BEM.
The 61-year-old, who won mixed doubles badminton bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1986, alongside Billy Gilliland, received a letter in November. Then, she had to keep quiet, before finally breaking the news to her husband.
Speaking on Hogmanay, from Tenerife, she said: “I just made my mind up that I was not telling anybody. I just put the letter away in a bag that I take to work everyday.
“I just forgot about it until nearer the time.”
Christine, who lives in Edinburgh, is a seven-time Scottish mixed doubles champion, and started playing badminton at the age of 13. Since then, she has played, coached and kept score as well as previously being president of BADMINTONscotland.
She stressed getting the award was very much a team effort.
Christian Lindsay, a stalwart of Dunbar RNLI, admitted she felt “a bit embarrassed”, after she was awarded a BEM for services to the community.
Christian (pictured above) is involved with a number of local groups in Dunbar and East Linton, and was Dunbar RNLI chairwoman for five years.
She was involved there between 1983 and 2009, and was awarded the RNLI silver medal when she stood down as chairwoman.
The 67-year-old also spent more than 20 years working for the NHS, and was part of the air ambulance service in central Africa before moving to East Lothian when she married husband John.
Christian, from Whittingehame, told the Courier: “I was very shocked and surprised when the letter came through the post. You don’t do these things to receive awards like this.
“Everyone has been very happy for me, and very excited.”
Meanwhile, Lynda Jeffrey (pictured below, by David P Scott) also received a BEM for services to music and charity in Stenton.
Mrs Jeffrey, who formed the Stenton Singers Choir more than 25 years ago with a dozen or so friends, is currently visiting family in New Zealand.
The choir has now grown to about 45 singers.
The Rev David Scott, from the Parish of Traprain, was among those celebrating the successes of Ms Lindsay and Ms Jeffrey.
He noted their achievements in the minister’s blog: “It must be unusual for a small community like this to produce two citations in the one list.”
Meanwhile, Richard Hadden (pictured above), 75, the Beadle at St Michael’s Church, Inveresk, was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community in East Lothian.
Sinclair Aitken, 79, who was Honest Lad in 1957, received an OBE for services to culture and the community of Dundee.
Mr Hadden of Albert Crescent, Wallyford, has ensured St Michael’s has been welcoming for church-goers for nearly 50 years.
He opens up the building for services and looks after the heating. He also has the duty of accompanying the minister in and out of church services, and tidies up after worship has ended.
Mr Hadden also doubles up as the kirk’s handyman, doing odd jobs, decorating and ensuring the lighting is up to scratch.
He took up the post of Beadle at St Michael’s in 1967 after a time as church officer at St Clement's Church in Wallyford.
During his time at St Michael’s he has worked with several ministers – the Revs Sydney Adamson, Sandy Strachan and Andrew Dick, who retired in May.
Mr Hadden is looking forward to continuing his duties with the new minister who will be appointed.
“I very much enjoy my work at the church and love helping out,” he said.
Asked how he felt about his BEM, he said: “It was a bit of a shock to start with but it is very, very nice to be selected to get this medal.”
The Rev Ruth Halley, Interim Moderator at St Michael’s, said: “I am delighted that the faithful service and good work of Mr Hadden has been recognised in this way.
“He has played a key role for nearly half a century in ensuring that the church is open and welcoming to the community of Musselburgh, not just on Sundays but through the week.
“He continues to be a blessing to us all.”
Mr Hadden worked at Brunton's Wire Mill in Musselburgh for nearly 30 years as a forklift driver and charge hand in the stainless steel division.
He went on to work in janitorial services at George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh for 12 years before retiring.
Meanwhile, Mr Aitken (pictured above), who was born and raised in Musselburgh, was Honest Lad the year after the 1956 Riding of the Marches. He also played for Musselburgh Rugby Club.
He made his home in Dundee after moving there in his early twenties when he secured a job with Allied Coal and Shipping. After 18 years, he moved to the Dundee Perth and London Shipping Company and served as Honorary Consul to Finland.
Mr Aitken was involved with the Dundee Rep Theatre for 30 years, serving as chairman for 18 and started a dance company which would go on to become the Scottish Dance Theatre. He was Dundee’s Citizen of the Year in 2000 and a Deputy Lieutenant, carrying out duties on behalf of the Crown.
He said: “I was surprised and quite delighted to receive the OBE.”
Mr Aitken still serves as vice-chairman of Leisure and Culture Dundee, which looks after facilities such as libraries, golf courses and museums in the city.
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