Three Cookstown people awarded in Queen's Birthday Honours List

Three people from Cookstown received awards at the weekend in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the local community.
Rev Dr Isaac Thompson who has been awarded with a MBE.Rev Dr Isaac Thompson who has been awarded with a MBE.
Rev Dr Isaac Thompson who has been awarded with a MBE.

Former minister at Cookstown First Presbyterian Church Rev Dr Isaac Thompson was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to the community and Her Majesty’s Forces.

Norman Crooks, from Orritor Road, received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his contribution to motorcycling, while Margaret Hamilton, from Moneymore Road, was also honoured with a BEM for her work for the community.

Rev Thompson paid tribute to many people who helped him in his work and ministry, and sees the honour as also for them.

Margaret Hamilton who has been awarded with a BEM.Margaret Hamilton who has been awarded with a BEM.
Margaret Hamilton who has been awarded with a BEM.

A native of Coleraine, he was ordained as a minister of The Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 1983, and was in First Presbyterian Church Cookstown, 1994-2017.

During his 23 years in Cookstown he was a member of the local Christian Aid Committee and served as its chairman for some years.

As a former school teacher for four years, he contributed to the field of education in his work on the Boards of Governors of both Cookstown High and Primary Schools.

In 1987, under the auspices of The Forces’ Committee of The General Assembly of PCI, he was commissioned in The Royal Army Chaplains’ Department and for the next eighteen years he ministered to HM Forces with a NATO role but with no operational role in Northern Ireland.

Norman Crooks who was awarded a BEM for services to motorcycling.Norman Crooks who was awarded a BEM for services to motorcycling.
Norman Crooks who was awarded a BEM for services to motorcycling.

From 2005 he was a member of The Royal British Legion and was Branch President in Cookstown for a number of years until he left the area.

In 2014 he was appointed as one of Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenants for County Tyrone, the first Presbyterian minister to be appointed to that role.

Dr Thompson regrets that his wife, Anne, is unable to share in the honour bestowed upon him by The Queen because she died in February 2017.

Motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the British Isles know Norman Crooks, who received a BEM honour for services to motorcycling.

Norman said it came as a “complete surprise”. He has been race secretary for the Cookstown 100 for an incredible 52 years.

He said he was delighted to receive the award on behalf of himself and Cookstown and District Motorcycle Club.

Norman remarked that he has “seen many changes” in motorcycling and, in particular, the Cookstown 100 race during his time as race secretary.

“I always like to work in the background and get the job the done,” said the father-of two.

“I’m delighted to receive the award and I’m looking forward to going to the presentation in Hillsborough Castle, probably next year.”

A former teacher at Rainey Endowed School in Magherafelt, Margaret Hamilton, also received a BEM for services to the community.

Margaret has been Chairperson of Cookstown and District Inter Church Forum for around 16 years, and a Group Scout leader with 1st Cookstown Scout Group for 40 years.

She has also been closely involved in the Mid Ulster Talking Newspaper for 14 years, which provides a local news service to blind and partially sighted people in the district.

“It’s a very great honour,” she said, referring to the award. “It came as a surprise.”

Margaret is married to Keith and the couple have two sons and four grandchildren. "My family have all been supportive over the years."

Cookstown Ulster Unionist Party Councillor Trevor Wilson congratulated all the recipients, especially those from the town.

“Great to see local people being recognised in this way,” he said.

Councillor Wilson also congratulated three-time Isle of Man TT race winner Ryan Farquhar, from Dungannon, on being awarded the BEM in for services to motorcycling.

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