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Van the Man to become Sir Van in Queen's honours list

Van Morrison who has been given a knighthood in yesterday's Queen's Birthday Honours
Van Morrison who has been given a knighthood in yesterday's Queen's Birthday Honours Van Morrison who has been given a knighthood in yesterday's Queen's Birthday Honours

HE is best known as simply 'Van the Man', but the east Belfast music legend will have to get used to becoming Sir George Ivan Morrison after he collects a knighthood in the latest Queen's birthday honours list.

Morrison, who is due to perform at a sold-out 70th birthday gig at Cyprus Avenue in August, has been recognised for services to the music industry and tourism.

He is among 85 Northern Ireland 'honours' recipients, including an octogenarian ploughing champion from Coleraine and a Hong Kong-born expert in the 'Chinese Lion Dance'.

At 89 years old, Hugh Barr is the oldest person selected for an award and receives the MBE for services to ploughing.

Yuk Shan Lui, who has taught thousands of international students ICT skills, receives a British Empire Medal for services to cultural diversity and education. He is believed to be only the second Chinese-born resident in Northern Ireland to be recognised in the birthday honours.

Other, more familiar names given awards include Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr, who receives an OBE for services to police and the community, and Chief Constable George Hamilton, who is awarded one of three Queen's Police Medals.

The second highest honour - but least well-known - the Companion of the Bath goes to retired permanent secretary with the Department for Social Development, William Haire, while CEO of Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Roy Adair, becomes a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).

Veteran BBC cameraman Peter Hunter, who famously captured the violent footage of the Milltown cemetery killings in 1988, is honoured with an MBE for services to broadcast journalism.

In total, there was one knighthood, one Companion of the Bath (CB), one Commander of the British Empire (CBE), 15 Officers of the British Empire (OBEs), 36 Members of the British Empire (MBEs), 28 British Empire Medals (BEBs) and three Queen's Police Medals (QPM) unveiled at Stormont Castle yesterday.

Forty of the 85 recipients were publicly nominated and staff from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister were keen to stress yesterday the public nature of the awards and the fact that "anyone can nominate anyone".

The Northern Ireland recipients join the 1,013 people named in the honours list, among them comedian Lenny Henry who earns a knighthood, actor Eddie Redmayne, an OBE, and singer Michael Ball, who also receives an OBE for services to musical theatre.

The full Northern Ireland list:

KNIGHT BACHELOR:

George Ivan Morrison, for services to the music industry and tourism.

CB:

William Haire, Permanent Secretary, Department for Social Development, for services to government.

OBE:

Professor Kenneth Addley, director of Occupational Health Service, for services to occupational health (Belfast).

William Foster Caldwell, honorary treasurer Bryson Charitable Group, for services to the community (Belfast).

Jennifer Hawthorne, head of community cohesion Northern Ireland Housing Executive, for services to housing (Belfast).

Robert Herron, lately chair Interim Western Education and Library Board, for services to education (Omagh).

David Johnstone, for services to the community and to voluntary service in the built heritage sector (Ballymena).

William Kerr, Assistant PSNI Chief Constable, for services to policing and the community (Belfast).

Conall Maclynn, lately president Appeals Tribunals Northern Ireland, for services to Independent Tribunals (Holywood).

Professor Emeritus Roy McConkey, for services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Carrickfergus).

John McClean, chief executive Fold Housing Association Limited, for services to housing and the community (Holywood).

Emer Murnaghan, head of business improvement Graham Construction, for services to the civil engineering profession and further education (Omagh).

Professor James Nixon, orthopaedic surgeon, for services to healthcare and the community (Newtownards).

John (Mark) Nodder, chairman and chief executive officer Wright Group, for services to the economy (Newtownards).

David Surplus, director B9 Energy Group, for services to renewable energy (Larne).

David Wall, director of communications, policy and strategic support, Department for Social Development, for public service, particularly to communities (Ballymena).

Dr Timothy Wyatt, for services to the advancement of healthcare science and the community (Newtownards).

MBE:

John Bamber, tournament committee chairman Royal Portrush Golf Club, for services to tourism in Northern Ireland (Dromore, Co Down).

Hugh Barr, vice-president Northern Ireland Ploughing Association, for services to ploughing (Coleraine).

Alderman Roy Beggs, councillor Larne Borough Council, for services to local government.

Michael Black, chief financial officer Aepona Ltd, for services to the Northern Ireland ICT industry (Lisburn).

Susan Black, senior lecturer, University of Ulster, for services to cross-community relations and education (Coleraine).

Peter Cooper, cameraman, soundman and picture editor, for services to broadcast journalism (Belfast).

Samuel Dale, vice-chair board of governors Finaghy Primary School, for services to education (Lisburn).

Charles Doonan, vice principal Down High School, for services to education (Ballynahinch).

Colin Hagan, managing director Riverpark Training and Development, for services to vocational skills (Newtownards).

Valerie Haugh, lately head of the peripatetic support service, Belfast Education and Library Service, for services to education (Ballyclare).

Jennifer Hobson, NSPCC volunteer, for services to young people (Dungannon).

Philomena Hughes, assistant director mental health and older people services, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, for services to older people (Castledawson).

Agnes Kennedy, governor Castleroe Primary School, for services to education and charitable services (Coleraine).

Clifford Kennedy, executive director Oasis Caring in Action, for services to the community in Belfast.

Alderman William Kennedy, councillor Ballymena Borough Council, for services to local government and motorcycle road racing (Ballymena).

William Kernohan, advisory consultant Wrightbus, for services to the bus industry (Ballymena).

Jessica Kidd, Scout commissioner, for services to young people (Holywood).

Gavin Kirkpatrick, temporary PSNI chief inspector, for services to policing and the community (Belfast).

Andrew Magowan, company managing director, for services to economic development and to the community (Coleraine).

Marie Mallon, lately director of human resources Belfast and Social Care Trust, for services to health and social care (Belfast).

William Mayne, joint chair and director CDM Community Transport, and chair of Shopmobility, Cookstown and Dungannon, for services to rural transport and people with disabilities (Cookstown).

Lynn McBurney, vice chair board of governors, Moorfields Primary School, and governor at Dunclug College, for services to education (Ballymena).

James McKelvey, lately managing director Terumo BCT, for services to the economy (Randalstown).

(Martha) Eleanor Mearns, early years specialist, for services to young people (Newtownards).

William Miller, for services to cricket and charity (Derry).

Alice Mills, assistant housing services manager, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, for services to housing (Belfast).

John Monaghan, boxing official and referee, for services to sport administration (Belfast).

John Park, board member Young Enterprise and charity worker, for services to the community in Ballymena.

Trevor Parkhill, chairman Hazelwood Integrated College, for services to education (Belfast).

George Robinson, MLA for East Derry, for public and political service (Limavady).

Eleanor Ross, dementia strategy lead nurse consultant, Public Health Agency, for services to healthcare (Larne).

William Shaw, district commissioner West Belfast District Scout Council, for services to scouting (Belfast).

George Shiels, councillor Magherafelt District Council, for services to local government and the community in Mid Ulster (Magherafelt).

Sue-Ann Steen, PSNI Chief Inspector, for services to policing and community (Belfast).

Jane Watt, clinical lead physiotherapist Regional Cancer Centre and lymphoedema lead, Northern Ireland Lymphoedema Network, for services to physiotherapy and lymphoedema treatment (Belfast).

William Webb, councillor Newtownabbey Borough Council, for services to local government and the community (Newtownabbey).

BEB:

Susanne Anderson, church and community worker, for services to peace and reconciliation in Bushmills and Moyle area (Bushmills).

Timothy Anderson, care worker, for services to the community (Magherafelt).

Joan Bell, Portstewart Music Festival, for services to the performing arts (Portstewart).

Eileen Caldwell, fundraiser Action Medical Research for Children, for services to charitable fundraising and the community in Portrush.

Sheila Collins, disability campaigner Mourne Stimulus, for services to the community in the Mournes (Kilkeel).

Carol Doey, founder of HUB community centre, for services to the community in Cookstown.

Robert Goodman, bandmaster Britannia Band, for services to music (Derry).

Laura Greenaway, Girls Brigade leader and church worker, for services to young people and the community (Banbridge).

Hilary Halliday, public relations officer Newry and Mourne District Council, for services to local government (Newry).

Shirley Johnston, sub post mistress, Culkey, Co Fermanagh, for services to the Post Office and the community in Culkey.

Matthew Kee, charity fundraiser, for services to fundraising in Fermanagh and Trillick (Enniskillen).

Elizabeth Keys, volunteer and after-schools club worker, for services to young people (Strabane).

Mavis Kirk, administrative officer Ministry of Defence, for services to defence and voluntary service to young people (Hillsborough).

John Laverty, formerly field officer South Eastern Education and Library Board, for services to young people (Belfast).

Yuk Shan Lui, ICT teacher and promoter of The Lion Dance Association, for services to cultural diversity and education (Belfast).

Samuel Malcolmson, hospital volunteer, for voluntary service to patients at Musgrave Park Hospital (Larne).

John Marshall, board member Belfast Buildings Preservation Trust, for services to built heritage (Bangor).

Mary McAlinden, councillor Craigavon Borough Council, for services to the community in Co Armagh.

Jarlath Newman, regimental sergeant major instructor, 2nd NI Battalion, Army Cadet Force, for services to young people and the community (Killyleagh).

Joseph Owens, Scout leader, for services to scouting in Co Fermanagh (Enniskillen).

Andrew Patton, developer of Neighbourhood Watch scheme, for services to the community in Sion Mills (Strabane).

Margaret Robinson, trustee Fountainville Trust, for services to the Scout movement in Northern Ireland (Lisburn).

Veronica Rodgers, officer Western Education and Library Board, for services to young people (Omagh).

Roberta Scott, Coleraine Community Choir, for services to music in the community in Coleraine.

Marion Sterritt, Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Association, for voluntary services to the community (Newtownards).

Linda Watson, co-ordinator Caw/Nelson Drive Action Group, Derry, for services to the community (Derry).

Florence Wilson, higher executive officer Ministry of Defence, for services to defence and the community in Lisburn.

Samuel Young, Alcoholics Anonymous leader, for services to Alcoholics Anonymous in Castlederg, Co Tyrone.

QPM:

Peter Galbraith, PSNI Detective Inspector, for services to the policing and the community (Belfast).

George Hamilton, PSNI Chief Constable, for services to policing and the community (Belfast).

Richard McMullan, PSNI Sergeant, for services to policing (Belfast).