NI's first female firefighter and sporting greats recognised in Queen's New Year Honours list

Friday, 28 December 2018 22:30

Firefighter Heather Smart who gets an MBE

By Rebecca Black, PA news

Two Northern Ireland sporting greats and the region's first female firefighter are among those set to receive honours from the Queen.

Former Manchester United star Harry Gregg will receive an OBE at Buckingham Palace next year, while former Lions rugby captain Willie John McBride will get a CBE.

Joining them on the New Year Honours list is Heather Smart, Northern Ireland's first female firefighter, who will get an MBE

Other MBEs go to former soldier and Ulster Unionist MLA Andy Allen, who is honoured for his work helping fellow veterans, and Northern Ireland footballer Gareth McAuley.

( "Andy" Allen at his home in Belfast, Northern Ireland, he has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List)

Meanwhile Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter gets a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to football.

NEWS | @CrusadersFC’s long serving manager Stephen Baxter has been included in the Queen’s New Years Honours list. #DanskeBankPrem

Read more: https://t.co/G84nQKCsPA pic.twitter.com/5PkDFzLki6
— NI Football League (@OfficialNIFL) 29 December 2018

McBride, 78, captained the victorious 1974 Lions tour to South Africa during a distinguished career. He said he regarded his honour for services to rugby union as belonging to all his former team-mates.

In recent years he has been involved with a number of charities helping disabled and disadvantaged children.

"I'm really thrilled, a CBE is terrific. When you get to this age, you think people have forgotten about you so it is nice to be remembered," he told the Press Association.

"1974 was my Everest, to captain the Lions, and I would like to think this honour is shared with all the guys who were on that tour, because they really were outstanding and they made my job as captain very easy."

(William James McBride (known as Willie John McBride) at his home in Ballyclare Northern Ireland)

Gregg made himself a household name with 247 appearances for Manchester United in the 50s and 60s.

He survived the 1958 Munich air disaster which saw 23 people killed when a plane carrying the Manchester United team crashed on take-off in Germany.

He is honoured for services to football.

He was present for the recent visit of Prince Charles to the province:

(Former Manchester United star Harry Gregg with Q Radio's Simon Hunter)

Ms Smart, who retired earlier this year from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, has been described as a trailblazer.

She joined the service in 1991 and paved the way for the 62 women currently working as firefighters.

Heather's told Q Radio she's delighted to have inspired others:

Alan Walmsley, Interim Chief Fire Officer, congratulated Ms Smart and described her as a "passionate advocate and ambassador for female firefighters", who "helped change the culture of the organisation at that time".

"This award is a fitting recognition for her achievement as Northern Ireland's first female firefighter," he added.

Heather Smart, Northern Ireland's first female Firefighter awarded MBE in New Year's Honours. Congratulations and thank you for your dedicated service. #NYHonours #protectingourcommunity pic.twitter.com/h9keaoSaqn
— NIFRS (@NIFRSOFFICIAL) 29 December 2018

Also among the Northern Ireland contingent on the New Year Honours list were Harcourt Developments chairman Patrick Doherty, for services to the transformation of the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, and former Queen's University vice-chancellor Professor James McElnay.

Five members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland are also honoured.

Inspector Rosie Leech will receive an MBE, recently retired Sergeant David Knox will get a British Empire Medal and three other officers will receive the Queen's Police Medal , including Superintendent Brian Kee, who shared with us his reaction upon hearing the news: