Church honours

CHURCH of Scotland elder Boyd Tunnock, owner of the Tunnock’s confectionery factory and inventor of the Tunnock’s Teacake, has been knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Sir Boyd is the grandson of the founder of Tunnock’s and still runs the company, aged 86. He is an elder at Uddingston Parish Church.

He said that he shared the ‘wonderful honour’ with his family and the workforce at the Tunnock’s factory: “When you get to my age very few things surprise you, but this certainly did and I am deeply honoured and grateful to Her Majesty The Queen.

“Our primary purpose in life is to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves. Our country is full of very worthwhile causes that we can all make a contribution to in some way. Often just a little of your time is more valuable than money.

“This is a wonderful honour and I feel that I share it with my family and the Tunnock’s workforce.

“I’ll just have to make sure I live long enough to get used to it.”

In the same list, Christine Sloan, founder of the charity Crathie Opportunity Holidays, was awarded an MBE. The wife of the Rev Robert Sloan, minister of Crathie Parish Church from 1996-2005, she was the initiator and driving force behind the project to restore the redundant and neglected manse stables to provide holiday accommodation for people with disabilities and their families.

She said: “I was surprised to be honoured in this way for what is an amazing achievement for the local Deeside community. I think this honour is as much for the local people who have given so much support and encouragement to the project. I am delighted to see that Crathie Opportunity Holidays is l ourishing and continuing to provide wonderful holiday experiences for our guests of all abilities.

”

An elder who was the driving force behind a village church’s £750,000 refurbishment has been awarded the British Empire Medal. Charlene Condeco was given the honour for services to Slamannan Parish Church and the community in Stirlingshire.

The Rev Monica MacDonald, an Ordained Local Minister currently serving at Slamannan, said: “She really spearheaded the whole project, and she worked extremely hard to ensure the work went ahead. I’m not surprised she has been given this award – it is very well-deserved.”

Former MEP Catherine Stihler, who is an active member of Dunfermline: St Leonard’s Church, was awarded an OBE for political service. Mrs Stihler, who was the UK’s youngest MEP when she was elected in 1999, said: “I am immensely proud to receive this unexpected recognition… I hope I have been a relatable role model for young women, and I will work to inspire more young women from across Europe to choose public service and transform lives for the next generation.”

Malcolm Farquhar, the regional commissioner for the Scouts’ East Scotland Region, was also awarded an OBE.

Brian J Dui n, new Chairman of the Church of Scotland Investors Trust, was given an OBE for his services to the UK Pensions industry.

John Reid, an elder at Gourock: St John’s Church was awarded an MBE for services to vulnerable people in Scotland and the community. Mr Reid has worked for the Department for Work and Pensions for 35 years, and is active in local children’s football and has taken on fundraising challenges for Ardgowan Hospice and Maggie’s Centres. 