New Year Honours bestowed

Dr. Anne Murray, retiring Principal of Oakgrove PS, Waterside, Londonderry. INLS1814MC008

Dr Murray, who retired last summer, has been given an OBE in the honours list.

In an interview with The Sentinel back in May, Dr Murray revealed that she had served for 23 years in Oakgrove and was at the helm before the school opened, initially helping to find the premises and to set it up and to engage the teachers.

“We opened with 68 and we now have 450, so it has been a really long, good journey and I have to say I have enjoyed every minute of it,” she said of her career at the school.

She said that the children at the school had been really funny about her retirement, telling her they did not want her to leave.

Asked what she planned to do with her retirement years, Dr Murray revealed that she had recently become a grandmother and was planning to travel and visit her family more.

A video of Dr Murray is attached to this article.

Meanwhile, an MBE has been bestowed on Margaret Jean Davidson, DL, for services to the community in Londonderry and in the county.

Mrs Davidson is extensively involved in community work in the district, and is noted for her work as a member of Friends of Altnagelvin, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, SSAFA (Soldiers Sailors Air Force Families Association) and is a Deputy Lieutenant for the City of Londonderry as well as being involved in animal protection and rights.

Also awarded an MBE was Pearl Woodburn, formerly the principal of Strathfoyle Nursery School, which was given in recognition for her services to primary education and to the community in County Londonderry.

Mrs Woodburn is also a prominent member of the Soroptimist International movement.

A British Empire Medal was bestowed on prominent charity worker Joseph McLaughlin in recognition of his services to charities in Eglinton and Londonderry.

Jean Davidson, DL, who has received an MBE

Just outside the city, a BEM was also bestowed on Leslie Shiels, DL, from Strabane, for his over 60 years of service to the Scout Movement and to the community in Northern Ireland.

Mr Shiels is a retired businessman and is currently chairman of the Londonderry Branch of the Somme Association, and is involved with the Royal British Legion in Strabane.

He is also known for his charity work and particularly for his work in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.