Would you like to nominate an unsung local hero or an outstanding voluntary organisation or business in Torbay for an honour?
If yes, read on ……..
National Honours
Do you know a resident of Torbay who is committed to serving their community or who has made significant achievements in public life who could be considered for a national honour?
Honours are awarded twice a year, on the Queen's Birthday in June and at the New Year, to people from all walks of life who have demonstrated outstanding service to the community or their field of work.
Anybody can nominate, but it is very important this is kept confidential from the candidate. You can nominate at any time. It can take from 18 months to 2 years for a nomination to be processed.
Perhaps you know someone in Torbay who is committed to serving their community or has made significant achievements (locally or nationally) in public life that could be considered for a national honour? If you do, we encourage you to think about whether they are a suitable candidate - guidance is available to assist with this task, including how to write your nomination so it is presented in the best possible way.
There are different types of honours and awards. You cannot nominate someone for a specific award e.g. BEM, MBE or OBE as that decision is made by the Honours Committee.
Whether someone gets an honour, and the honour they get, is decided by an honours committee. The committee’s decisions go to the Prime Minister and then to the Queen, who awards the honour.
The person must still be actively involved in what you’re nominating them for and it is important to provide relevant facts and figures to show the impact your candidate has had.
For further information including how to nominate someone please visit the GOV.UK Nominate someone for an honour or award web page.
National Awards
Are you aware of any voluntary organisation in Torbay that should be nominated for The Queens Award for Voluntary Service or a business for the Queens Award for Enterprise?
The Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service
This annual award recognises and rewards outstanding achievement by voluntary groups in the community.
Further information and a nomination form can be obtained from GOV.UK The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service web page.
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise
These are awarded annually for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of:
- innovation
- international trade
- sustainable development
Information about these awards including, application forms, eligibility and submission deadlines can be found at GOV.UK The Queen's Awards for Enterprise.
You can make a request to Her Majesty to send a congratulatory message to individual British Nationals on reaching their 100th and 105th birthdays, and each year following their 105th birthday.
The Department of Works & Pensions automatically notify, but applications can be made on a personal basis enclosing a photocopy of the celebrant's birth certificate. It is also possible to receive a belated message up to six months after the event.
The Queen may also be requested to send a congratulatory message to couples who reach their 60th (diamond), 65th and 70th (platinum) wedding anniversaries, and every year thereafter.
For more information and to downloaded the application form visit the GOV.UK page Get a birthday or anniversary message from the Queen web page.
Garden Parties are held each year in the beautiful gardens at Buckingham Palace and are an important way for a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community to spend a relaxed afternoon with the Royal Family.
Three Royal Garden Parties are held at Buckingham Palace every year and about 8000 people attend each party. The Devon Lieutenancy can nominate around 50 people and their guest from the County to attend each year.
If you feel that someone in Torbay has made a major contribution to life in the community, or has provided exceptional service in any other way, you could recommend that they are invited to this special event.
For information on how to nominate someone for a garden party invitation visit The Lord-Lieutenant of Devon's Royal Garden Party Invitations web page.