MBE for service to education

12:00pm Thursday 3rd January 2008

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A RETIRED physicist from Holcombe Brook has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

Mr John Allen (pictured) said he was "astonished and delighted" to get the award in recognition of his services to education. The 69-year-old has served as a foundation governor at Bury Church of England High School for nearly 25 years and has been chairman for the past ten years. He also is a committee member of the Bury Schools Forum.

He said: "This sort of thing surely only happens to others! I am very grateful to those who thought my contribution deserved this recognition, whilst also thanking all those whose help and support over many years has enabled me to focus particularly on this aspect of my voluntary activities.

"I remember being asked by the late Canon Reg Smith to become a foundation governor of the school in the early 1980s, a request which I initially felt like refusing because of pressures of work, but was persuaded by him and the late Miss Dorothy Lester that I had talents that could be of real benefit to the school.

"Now I reflect back on all the work which has been done both to improve the school's facilities and enhance teaching and learning, seeking to maintain the school's mission and enhance its reputation. This has meant that, despite increasing the intake into Year 7 in an attempt to cope with the demand for places, the school continues to be heavily oversubscribed year after year. It brings great joy to see all the bright young faces coming into school each September and then the speed with which they are transformed into young adults ready to face the next challenge in their lives. It is a real, albeit demanding, privilege to be able to contribute and influence the direction taken by both school and society, but one which has real rewards despite the continuing challenges."

Mr Allen, who previously lived in Unsworth, has been an active member of Bury Parish Church for over 40 year. Prior to retirement he was employed by ICI and Zeneca at Blackley in various positions including senior research physicist, group manager and trustee director of both pension funds.

He has been married to Cheryl for 41 years and the couple have one son, two daughters and five grandchildren with a sixth on the way.

He said: "I am enormously grateful to all my fellow governors and colleagues over the years whose support and hard work has enabled many significant improvements to our school, its buildings and its facilities. I would also add my heartfelt thanks to all the teaching and support staff both in our school and across the Local Authority who all play their part in working so well for the benefit of all our pupils. That is what it is all about.

"Finally I want to thank my wife Cheryl for all her love, help and support which has enabled me to devote so much time to my voluntary jobs for so many years."