From an artist to a community champion, these are the people from Oldham who have been given awards in the New Year Honours list for 2024.
The list has been published today (Friday 29 December) and follows King Charles’ inaugural New Year Honours list for 2023.
It features former rugby legend Kevin Sinfield, Mahbubur Rahman - a local man who received the British Empire Medal for services to charity his community - and an artist.
Also among the names are two top public officials who oversee Oldham - chief executive of Greater Manchester Combined Authority Eamonn Boylan and chief fire officer Dave Russel.
Dave received the King’s Fire Service Medal (KFSM) – the highest honour that can be awarded to fire service personnel, while Eamonn has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to local government.
Dave said: “I am truly honoured and surprised to be awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal. It’s been a huge privilege to be part of the fire and rescue service for 32 years and to serve and protect the people and places of Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
“But it’s not a job that can be done alone and this award is not just for me, it’s for those who have supported me on my journey, including all those at GMFRS who have worked tirelessly over the past three years to support the continuing transformation of our service into what is it today.
“I want to pay tribute to my colleagues and hope they can all share in this good news as we continue on our journey to becoming a modern, flexible and resilient fire and rescue service.”
While Eamonn added: “This is an honour that I share with the brilliant people I’ve worked alongside here in Greater Manchester and throughout my time in local government.
“When I joined the GMCA in 2017 I could not have foreseen the challenges that we would face, but it has been the privilege of my career to see the strength and the spirit of this city-region prevail at every turn. This past year in particular, with the signing of Greater Manchester’s Trailblazer devolution deal, has demonstrated just how relentlessly this place is working to transform public services for the better, and deliver for people at every stage of life.
“As I look ahead to my last few months at the GMCA and TfGM, I will take immense pride in all that we have achieved here. Those achievements are the foundations of this honour, for which I am sincerely grateful.”
Elaine Linda Robinson has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire status - for services to children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Elaine is the founding member of Parents of Oldham InTouch and Oldham Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Support Service.
Meanwhile, 70-year-old "working class" Oldhamer Brian Clarke was "surprised" to hear that he was receiving a knighthood.
He said: "I’m feeling very surprised and grateful really. It’s wonderful to get noticed for one’s work, but to get honoured for it too is really very encouraging.
“I am working class by birth and by inclination. My art is for the working class and my public art in stained glass is intended to beautify the corners of the world it occupies."
READ MORE: Oldham artist 'surprised' to be given knighthood in New Year Honours
READ MORE: Rugby legend Kevin Sinfield hails ‘incredible’ friend Rob Burrow as both awarded CBEs
Oldham hero and former Leeds Rhinos star Sinfield received his Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) status for services to motor neurone disease awareness after raising £15m since 2019, with his old teammate Rob Burrow.
“I think it is really special that Rob has been recognised again,” said Sinfield, who has gained the nickname 'Sir Kev' for his charitable work.
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