Pub trade recognised in Queen’s honours list

Rhian and Dan Livingstone from the Buck Hotel in Driffield, East Yorkshire, were awarded the British Empire Medal (BME) for their work supporting the community during lockdown.

The pub was a finalist in this year's Great British Pub Awards – Pub Heroes ​in the Community Services category.

The accolade has been given to the duo after they coordinated and organised 150 volunteers in the area who helped deliver 6,728 prescriptions to vulnerable people, carry out 600 shopping trips, conduct more than 30 dog walks and put together 120 care packages for people low on supplies.

Charity fundraising

The Livingstones also raised more than £6,600 for the local community alongside donating personal protective equipment (PPE) to the NHS and other front-line staff.

“We understood lockdown would be a challenging and difficult time for many people and we wanted to help everyone get through this time by working together," Rhian said. "Before the crisis, we were very much focused on being at the heart of the community, we’re passionate about it, so we wanted to do everything in our power to help. 

“I feel so honoured to be recognised in this way. When we started our initiative the only thing on our minds was helping the vulnerable people in our community and we are so grateful for the generosity and solidarity of our volunteers, without whom, none of this would have been possible.”

Accolades given

Not-for-profit community interest company Hospitality for Heroes founder Oliver Coles was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

The organisation uses leading head chefs to supply NHS staff with free, healthy means using quality produce from local suppliers.

Coles, from Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, was given the accolade for his services to hospitality and NHS during Covid-19.

Former pub manager Johnny Flynn from Darwen, Lancashire was also awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for hosting a virtual pub quiz to fundraise for charity during the coronavirus crisis. He raised more than £750,000 with over 182,000 people playing along from across the globe.

Flynn told The​ Lancashire Telegraph​: “When I did that first quiz, I thought it was just be a one-off, to have a bit of a laugh and a giggle and that will be it.

“The fact people take the time out of the day and have enjoyed it that much and feel I have made that much of a difference to their lives to then go to the honours committee and nominate me for an MBE is staggering.”