Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2018 – 8th June2018

Statement by H.M. Lord-Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran
Sheriff Iona McDonald

The Queen’s Birthday Honours List was released on Friday 8th June 2018 and more than 1000 people from across the United Kingdom have been recognised for their commitment to public service. Amongst those honoured from Ayrshire and Arran this year were;
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
William (Stuart) Laing, Troon - Lately Chair, Houlden Jewellers.  For services to the Jewellery Industry
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Charlotte Weir, Isle of Arran - Volunteer, Glasgow City Mission.  For voluntary service in Glasgow and Arran
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Kirsty Letton, Troon - For services to Curling

The Lord-Lieutenant said “I would like to send my congratulations and best wishes to all of the individuals from Ayrshire and Arran who have been recognised in the Honours List. They have made a considerable contribution to our local communities and I am sure that this award comes as a great surprise, as many of them do not seek any recognition for the work that they do”
The Queen’s Birthday Honours List is one of two occasions in each year that the Queen gives out Honours, the other being on New Year’s Day. The awards recognise people who have made achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping Britain.
The tradition dates back to 1860 when Queen Victoria gave out the first Birthday Honours. In 1890 she added New Year Honours too.
The monarch has two birthdays, their actual one and an official one, because of the weather. It is a tradition that was started by King George II in 1748.
King George II was born in November, and felt the weather would be too cold at that time of year for his annual birthday parade.
So instead, he combined his birthday celebration with an annual spring military parade known as Trooping the Colour, in which regiments displayed their flags or "colours" so soldiers would be familiar with them.
It is a tradition that has continued to this day. All British sovereigns are given the option of having an "official" birthday, and because the Queen's real birthday is on April 21, she has stuck with the tradition of celebrating in June.
Sheriff McDonald also remarked “I would like to see more people from across Ayrshire and Arran being recognised with an Honour and I would actively encourage anyone who is aware of someone worthy of an award to nominate them. This is a fairly straightforward process and further details can be found on the Lieutenancy website, www.lordlieutenantayrshireandarran.org.uk , or by contacting Nigel Martin, Clerk to the Lieutenancy,2 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1EN.  Tel 01292 265024