Harrogate woman in New Year Honours List

A royal honour for Harrogate community volunteer Christine Stewart, right, who was backed by former Harrogate mayor Anne Jones, left.

Christine Stewart, chair of Starbeck in Bloom and a tireless worker for a range of good causes in Harrogate from Harrogate Theatre to Yorkshire in Bloom, will receive a British Empire Medal.

Christine has been recognised for her services to the community.

The award for Christine, a Harrogate Advertiser contributor who lives in Starbeck, comes after a submission by Honorary Alderman Anne Jones, former Harrogate Mayor.

Anne has known Mrs Stewart and her involvement in the community for more 30 years.

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Anne Jones said: "Mrs Christine Stewart has spent a lifetime serving her beloved community of Starbeck.

"This commitment has been duly acknowledged in the New Year Honours list 2020 with the award of an BEM for Services to Starbeck.

"Christine is the Chair and powerhouse behind the local Starbeck In Bloom group, which consists of some 40 volunteers.

"They work tirelessly to enhance and improve the area to the benefit of residents and visitors alike not to mention the many motorists that travel along the major arterial road of the A59, resulting in an immense and positive impact on the presentation of Starbeck."

Having highlighted the many years of hard work in Starbeck to the late Lord Lieutenant Barry Dodd during her time as Mayor, Anne said: “The Lord Lieutenant had a superb overview of the good works carried out across the district and appreciated the selfless commitment of all the groups, committees and individuals that stepped up to make a difference.

"He was fully supportive of my nomination and submission on behalf of Mrs Stewart and I am sure that he would have been delighted with the wonderful news, as am I. I am certain that Starbeck will applaud this good news as we enter the new decade.

"The nominations included letters of support from Harrogate and Ripon Centre for Voluntary Services /Bettys & Taylors Group Ltd and Henshaws College for Blind People and I thank them all for their support.”

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