PCSO Liz gets MBE for services to policing, in Queen's Birthday Honours
WHEN Queen Elizabeth II took the throne in 1953, four-year-old Liz Smith was given a coronation mug by her mother.
It sparked a lifelong interest in collecting royal memorabilia and a great love of the Royal Family.
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PCSO Liz Smith has a lifelong interest in collecting royal memorabilia.
Now, more than 50 years later, Liz – a 61-year-old PCSO from Bridlington – is set to add an MBE insignia to her collection of trinkets.
The announcement came as Her Majesty The Queen revealed her Birthday Honours List.
PCSO Smith has been given the honour for services to policing after 10 years as special constable and four years walking the beat in the seaside town.
She said: "I still have the coronation mug from 1953 my mum bought me, after that I started collecting things.
"I have a lot of memorabilia, but this will certainly be the most treasured.
"I think gobsmacked has to be the understatement of the century. I couldn't believe it.
"I got a letter a few weeks ago telling me I had been put forward, but I didn't think it would be confirmed.
"It is a huge honour and I cannot wait to attend the palace."
PCSO Smith moved to the East Yorkshire coast five years ago to retire.
She had worked in education for the business community in West Yorkshire and in prisons, as well as being a special constable in the region.
On moving to Bridlington, she signed up to be a PCSO to "wind down".
She said: "I have always worked with people who need help, I love helping people, I love my job and I love the people of Bridlington.
"I wouldn't have been able to get this award without the officers here.
"My plan was to come and wind down but I saw an advert for the job and haven't looked back since. I really love doing what I do."
Other people from the region were also given the prestigious honour.
Alex Henderson, who was a governor at Hull College for 16 years and is now vice chairman of governors at Sirius Academy, in west Hull, has been appointed MBE for voluntary services to further education.
She said: "I couldn't believe it was for me, I had to keep reading the letter.
"It's always someone else that gets these and what you think you are doing is not of extra importance.
"You do it because you enjoy it and want to give something back to the community."
Terry Hodgkinson, chairman of Yorkshire Forward, has been appointed CBE for services to business and regeneration.
Anthony Hunter, of Beverley, is chief executive of North East Lincolnshire Council, has been appointed OBE for services to social care.
Jeanette Dawson, principal of Bishop Burton College, has been appointed OBE for services to land-based further and higher education and Nicola Yates, chief executive of Hull city Council has been appointed OBE for services to local government.
7 Comments
by Rainey, Beside the Sea
Sunday, June 13 2010, 10:10PM
“Congratulations to PCSO Liz Smith!! And to those of you who are not so forward with your congratulations, she is one of the workers!! Not affraid to have a go at people drinking in the street etc. And always willing to meet the people of the community, and actually care!”
by Neil Theasby, Sheffield
Sunday, June 13 2010, 1:04AM
“I'm sorry but there are many unsung heroes in many walks of life whose dedication and selflessness has been far more deserving of official recognition. I mean - for heaven's sake - Liz Smith has only lived in East Yorkshire for the last five years. Effectively, this is an insult to the many hundreds who deserved recognition ahead of her..”
by Susan, Swanland
Saturday, June 12 2010, 10:59PM
“Say what you like about her achievement, but she looks more like 41 than 61, well done Liz”
by Arthur, Hull
Saturday, June 12 2010, 5:08PM
“Good luck Liz, well done, and it makes a refreshing change to see someone in a proper job getting awards, instead of the usual collection of "stars", politicians, artists, windbags egotists and other high profile or "well connected" who normally receive them.”
by Brenda, East Hull
Saturday, June 12 2010, 3:45PM
“I wonder if the recipient of this award sees it as a mere 'trinket'?”
by oswald, hull
Saturday, June 12 2010, 12:20PM
“PCSO ?
surley that should be a plastic cup ?”
by Curious, to know
Saturday, June 12 2010, 10:42AM
“Congratulations! Well deserved...
However, I wonder how one is chosen for such commendations, seeing as there are many "undecorated" Special Constables and PCSOs in Humberside and other forces who have given as much if not more!”