Sharrow Bay duo honoured

TWO of the hospitality industry’s best-loved figures were made MBEs in last week’s New Year Honours after more than 40 years running Sharrow Bay hotel in Ullswater, Cumbria.

Francis Coulson and Brian Sack gained the awards for their services to the industry in maintaining a country house hotel renowned as one of the finest in the country.

At the same time, Giles Shepard, managing director of the Savoy Group, was made a CBE for his services to the tourism industry.

Mr Shepard, who joined the group as a director in 1976, is also vice-chairman of the national executive ofthe British Hospitality Association and a member of the executive committee of the Leading Hotels of the Worldconsortium.

Barry Skipper was made a CBE, ironically just after being made redundant from his post of chief executive of Booker’s food distribution division.

Alan Jefferson, deputy chief executive of the British Tourist Authority (BTA) until his retirement last month, was made an OBE for his services to tourism.

Mr Jefferson joined the BTA in 1975 as marketing manager and became international marketing director and deputy chief executive following the Government’s review of the authority in 1989. He spent most of last year as acting chief executive until the appointment of Anthony Sell.

Other accolades for the industry include MBEs for Lorna McWilliam, banqueting administrator at the House of Lords, and Edith Noad, catering supervisor for the Knightstone Housing Association in Weston-super-Mare, Avon.

Margaret Sumnall, Staffordshire’s food organiser for luncheon clubs and meals on wheels, was made an MBE for her services to the community.

In the armed forces, Warrant Officer Lou Jones ofthe Royal Logistic Corp, an instructor at the Army Schoolof Catering in Aldershot, Hampshire, and Warrant Officer(Cook) Kevin Morrin of the Royal Navy were both made MBEs.