New Year Honours list reveals a new dame in East Lothian as it recognises great work

Susan Rice, chairwoman of Scottish Water and the Scottish Fiscal Commission, has been appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Dame Susan, who lives with her husband Sir Duncan Rice in Longniddry, receives the honour for services to business, the arts and charity.

She said: “I hope my career illustrates the holistic relationship between business, our culture and the arts. To be appointed a DBE by Her Majesty is a source of great pride for me and my family. I trust it also salutes the many people I’ve worked with who also value the inherent link between business and society.”

As chief executive and then chairwoman of Lloyds TSB Scotland, Dame Susan, who was born in the USA, became the first woman to head a UK clearing bank in 2000.

At the behest of the banking industry, she currently chairs a UK-wide initiative creating new professional standards for bankers.

Dame Susan chairs the Patrons’ Governors of the National Galleries of Scotland and previously chaired the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Festivals Forum.

Meanwhile, Patrick Crerar, from Stenton, has been awarded a CBE for services to the hospitality industry in Scotland and to charity.

The 49-year-old, better known as Paddy, runs Crerar Hotels and farms at New Mains, near Stenton.

His business boasts more than a dozen hotels, mainly on the west coast and northern Scotland.

He told the Courier he was “delighted” but “slightly embarrassed” at being rewarded.

He said: “It was a huge shock – I still don’t really believe it.

“There was a number on the letter to phone if you had any questions and to be honest I phoned that because at first I thought it was someone winding me up.

“It is a great honour.”

Mr Crerar hopes he’ll be able to pick up his award in Scotland later this year. When I phoned I asked when I’d get it [the CBE] and all they said is that I’d be invited to an investiture,” he said.

“I’d like it if that could be in Scotland – maybe even in Haddington – that would be really nice.”

This year’s honours list also includes the executive director and co-founder of Dunbar charity SiMBA, which helps families cope with the loss of a baby.

Sara Fitzsimmons co-founded SiMBA 12 years ago. The former midwife, who stays in Dunbar, was honoured for services to bereaved families with an MBE.

Sara, 46, who was on holiday with her family when the list was announced, said she was stunned when she received the letter saying she had been chosen.

She said: “It is a great honour and good news for the charity. You never think when you are working so hard that you will receive recognition anything like this. It has been 12 years of working hard for the charity and I hope this honour will help it continue to do well.”

Another recipient of an MBE is Rob Tinlin, from North Berwick.

He has been recognised for services to local government in Essex and was “quite amazed” by the recognition.

The 64-year-old, who worked for East Lothian District Council and East Lothian Council prior to heading south of the Border, told the Courier: “I am really quite chuffed.

“Not many people in local government get awards like this so it really is quite an accolade.”

Mr Tinlin, who was chief executive at Southend-on-Sea for 12 years until March last year, also served seven years as chief executive of South Northamptonshire Council.

But he believes his work in the south-east is what has earned him a place on the New Year Honours list.

He added: “When I took over they were dysfunctional and I took them to being council of the year in 2012.”

Rob, who grew up in the Borders and said moving to East Lothian last year was “coming back as close to home as I could”, managed to keep the news a secret prior to the official announcement, only telling partner Kirsty Towler.

He was looking forward to telling his two sons, 26-year-old Andrew and Donald, who is 23.

He said: “I’m sure that they will be delighted when I tell them.”

Mr Tinlin is a non-executive director with both NHS Digital and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, while he also runs Towler Tinlin Associates alongside Kirsty.

Susan Law, chairwoman of West Fenton-based Muirfield Riding Therapy, receives an MBE for services to riding for the disabled.

Mrs Law, 61, from Gullane, who steps down from the role in June after 19 years, said: “I am obviously delighted to be given this honour but would like to be quite clear that this is an honour for Muirfield Riding Therapy, its volunteers, its riders, families and carers, and all those that support the charity.

“I don’t feel that it is right to single out one person of what is an amazing team of people and see this as an honour for our team.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me all these years in so many ways. My family and friends have been behind me throughout. I feel deeply privileged to have had the opportunity to work with amazing people who have inspired me.

“It comes at a nice time as I am stepping down as chair in June, but I will still be involved with the organisation, just able to focus more on key areas.”

Completing the county contingent is fundraising stalwart Liz MacColl, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for voluntary services in North Berwick.

Mrs MacColl said it was “a wonderful surprise” and thanked her friends, family and the people of her home town for rallying round her numerous fundraisers over the years.

She raised £20,000 for local charities thanks to antique fairs held at St Andrew Blackadder Church and has raised more than £25,000 for Oxfam through various projects, including the collection of golf balls.

“The award is for me but really I could not have done any of it without people’s support, especially my husband Gordon,” she told the Courier.

“I started fundraising about 40 years ago and we’ve been very lucky that the people of North Berwick have supported us.”

And Mrs MacColl revealed that news of her BEM came as an extra special gift as she celebrated her 79th birthday on Monday.

“I had told my closest family but to everyone else it was a surprise – the messages from everyone have been lovely,” she said.

“It was a wonderful way to celebrate.”