THERE were double celebrations at the University of Huddersfield today.

The Queen’s Birthday Honours included one current staff member and one who has just retired.

Click below to view those honoured.

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The Rev Paul Wilcock is the University’s Director of Student Services and receives the BEM for work with policing. He is chaplain to the West Yorkshire Police.

His role at the University includes being responsible for the Wellbeing and Disability Service and the Careers and Employability Service, but he is also an active academic and researcher and leads the work of the University’s Arms and Armour Research Group.

Sue Bernhauser, whose successful career in nursing and education led to a senior role at the University of Huddersfield, has been awarded the OBE.

She retired in 2012 after six years as Dean of the School of Human and Health Sciences at the University and was awarded the title of Emerita Dean.

Her career in nursing began in the early 1970s and she practised in both learning disability and adult nursing – holding ward manager posts in Southampton, Portsmouth, Glasgow and Dorset – before moving into nurse education. This career took her to Birmingham and Sunderland and she was Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Health and Head of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Brighton before moving to Huddersfield.

Other honours recipients are:

Batley historian Malcolm Haigh, a former journalist, who has been given a BEM for his work on community history. He has written several books about Batley and has organised history walks for the past 30 years.

BBC broadcaster Harry Gration, who hosts the annual Examiner Business Awards, has been awarded an MBE.

Sports administrator Richard Lewis, formerly of Shepley, has been awarded a CBE. He is the former chairman of the Rugby Football League and now chief executive of Wimbledon.

Batley teacher Pauline Gavin has been awarded an OBE for her work in education. She teaches at a Leeds school.

Mirfield man Frank Wright has been awarded the BEM for his charity work with local community organisations.

Mr Wright was named a Mirfield Ambassador last year for his decades of charity work. He has organised fundraising auctions for countless organisations and is now an active member of Mirfield Rotary Club.

HUDDERSFIELD businessman David Armitage has today been awarded the OBE – and he admits he’s delighted.

The 69-year-old boss of engineering firm Sellers International has been given the award for his tireless work for charity over many, many years.

He has raised huge sums of money for many charities, notably Guide Dogs for the Blind and has become a constant backer of music and sport in Huddersfield.

Mr Armitage, who lives in Brighouse, said: “I found out three weeks ago and have to admit I was absolutely staggered, but also delighted and very honoured.

“I have been lucky that I have been in a position to help.

“But I’m also very lucky to have such a supportive wife in Carol and she has played a major role in the charity work we do.

“I’d also like to thank Phillip McCann, who introduced me to the world of brass band music more than 20 years ago and steered me on a course to help music.’’

Mr Armitage and his company sponsor junior football, cricket and tennis and had the Sellers Band for years.

He has also been the man behind many charity events and concerts in Huddersfield over the past two decades.

CHOCOLAT author Joanne Harris, who is today made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, said she hopes the honour gives people the message that “writing is important”.

The Almondbury writer – who is currently working on two new books – admitted: “I’m honoured, pleased and very surprised.”

And the novelist, who worked as a teacher before turning to writing full-time, said: “I never started writing thinking I would get rewards like this.’’

She said she had not given much thought to her visit to the palace to accept the award, saying: “I’m only at the ‘Shall I buy some new shoes?’ stage.”

The 48-year-old, who is married with one daughter, said: “It is always nice for the world of literature when writers get an acknowledgement or an honour.

“It gets the message to people that writing is important and that it deserves praise.”

Harris, whose books have been published in more than 40 countries, topped the best-seller lists after the 1999 publication of Chocolat.

The 2001 film version, which starred Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, was a massive hit.

She is currently working on two books – one a fantasy tale and the other a novel. And she has a number of other projects trying to promote writing among young people..

EXPLORER Peter Drake has visited many corners of the world.

But later this year, his next expedition could take him to Buckingham Palace – to collect the MBE he received today in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Mr Drake, of Brockholes, was actually at the Palace last December for a reception with other notable explorers and adventurers, including Chris Bonington and Doug Scott.

“I’m not sure I deserve this honour” was his modest response to news of the award.

“I may lead the expeditions but I am just part of a team each time.

“An awful lot of people work hard to make sure they are a success”.

Mr Drake has spent more than 40 years helping to organise and lead expeditions to more than 55 countries across the world.

Many of them have been for young people – although his last trip, from Brockholes to Beijing, saw him take a group aged from 64 to 84 on the trans-Siberian Express.

He is involved with the Royal Geographical Society and the Yorkshire Schools Exploring Society and lectures at the University of Leeds.

“It has been a fabulous career and one I still enjoy”, said Mr Drake.

GYMNASTICS coach and judge Christine Bowker was doing what she loves best last night – putting more Huddersfield youngsters through their paces.

But she also paused to admit she was “surprised and honoured” to receive an MBE in today’s Queens’ Birthday Honours.

Miss Bowker, of Edgerton, has devoted her life to gymnastics, founding the Greenhead Gym Club and running it for over 40 years.

She has produced and coached award-winning gymnasts who have gone on to national and international glory.

And she admits: “I still love it and will continue as long as I can.

“I have just re-qualified as an international judge, but the main enjoyment has been seeing so many youngsters display their talents.

“I have also made many wonderful friends across the world over the years and I’m going on holiday shortly to meet up with Russian friends I have met through the sport.’’

It has been a great 12 months for former PE teacher Miss Bowker, as in 2012 she was a volunteer at the gymnastics events at the London Olympics.

“I had a hint about the nomination, but it still came as a surprise and an honour.

“I wish I could share it with all the coaches who have worked with me over the years.’’

Click below for our national honours list gallery.

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