A stalwart chorister and a long-standing church organist are among people in the Bradford district to be rewarded in today's Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Arthur Wilson, 96, of Parkway, Steeton, Keighley, who joined Steeton Male Voice Choir in 1922, has been awarded an MBE for his services to the choir.

The longest-standing and oldest member, Mr Wilson is now president and still sings in the baritone section.

He was conductor for 25 years, during which the choir entered 90 competitions and won 30 first prizes.

The former printworker said: "I sing for the love of it and didn't expect to receive any kind of awards. I don't fancy going to London, though, to receive the award - it's not my style. But it is an honour and my three children are all pleased for me."

George Gomersall, 86, of Whitehall Road, Drighlington, who has been a church organist for 71 years, is awarded an MBE for his services to the community.

"I'm very, very honoured," he said. "I started playing at the Congregational Church in 1929 where I played for ten years. Then I went to the Methodist Church for nine years, and I've been at the Parish Church for 52 years."

Eddie Noble, the longest-serving member of Brighouse and Rastrick Band and also its treasurer, has been honoured with an MBE for his services to brass band music in West Yorkshire.

He said: "I'm honoured to receive this and it's an honour for the band as well." He was a member of the Yorkshire Area Brass Band Council for 22 years.

Former Bradford postal worker Clare Taylor, a member of England women's football team and a bowler for England women's cricket, has been awarded the MBE for her services to cricket, association football and hockey.

Jean Heslop, 58, of Garlick Street, Brighouse, has been honoured for her services to education with an OBE. The headteacher at Cliffe Hill Primary in Lightcliffe, who has also been drafted in as head teacher at Mixenden Primary School, Halifax, which requires 'special measures', won a national award in school leadership for primary schools last year.

Jeremy Hinton Pritlove, of Horsforth, has been awarded an MBE for his services to mental health. He is a Mental Health Development Officer for social services in Leeds.

A worker for the Barnardo's Street and Lanes Project in Bradford receives the MBE for her services to child welfare. Sara Swann, 49, who joined the charity in 1994, set up Barnardo's first project working with youngsters lured into prostitution. Through her work, they are now treated as victims of abuse.

e-mail: carolyne.coyle@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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