The Queen's Birthday Honours

If you think about it most of the people who get honoured were basically doing something they enjoyed and got paid for. There's really not much point in any of it. Perhaps we should just stick to medals for acts of outstanding bravery.

While we're on the subject I would love to see Philip Green stripped of his knighthood. I think he's a hideous man.

When I had my babies in Jamaica, I had an OBE.......(castor) oil, bath and enema. Nice

Over one thousand people received gongs, I have only heard of a very small number

@anniebach

The fact that you've only heard of a small number is a good thing. People are nominated for honours and there have been an increasing number of very ordinary people nominated. I doubt very much whether I would ever have heard of them before.

I'm very undecided about honours. I do wonder at some of those which are given, but I also have seven members of my close family who have been given honours, including my grandfather who was given a CBE. I know that they have contributed to society in a positive way and I know they were pleased to receive the honours. While I think it's an old-fashioned way of rewarding public service, I wonder what the alternative would be. At the moment, the only alternative reward seems to be making money.

Daphne, thst was the reason I spoke of over one thousand , a pop singer becomes a Sir, an actress becomes a Dame, favours from No 10 to a few but there so many more we will never hear of who wotk in their communities , they get the lower honours but I am sure they are so proud regardless, and this is what makes me hesitate to say it should all be ended

Tricia Marwick, recently retired Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament has turned down a knighthood (or is it Damehood) because she has always been opposed to Politicians being rewarded with honours. She stated that there could be no greater honour than being elected and re-elected to serve her local area in the Scottish Parliament since its inception and then chosen to be Presiding Officer.

I think this honourable lady has done an honourable thing.

It annoys me that a number of ex pats living abroad get MBEs for doing not much more that organising some charity events with the help of others including their underpaid staff whilst 1000,s living in the UK give so much to voluntary service often at their own expense and never get a mention let alone an invite to a garden party or Embassy event.

I think the whole thing is crackers-O/CBE? We haven't had an empire, truly thank God, for many years. And who would want to be called a dame-except in a panto?
And to see the royals when most of them look like they've been in the dressing up box again. . . .
Surely it's time this nonsense ended?
Some sort of citizens award for (surely unpaid, not just doing your job) doing good for the community would be more like it I think. So that would rule out pop stars and the like surely.

I cannot ubderstand these celebrity honours, unless they do mighty works for charity that are kept private. If you send in a nomination for an 'ordinary' person they have to have done something very special, and not just doing their job well. (That's the jist of what the instructions say.) What has Rod bloody Stewart done other than murder a good tune?

harrigran as I said its the people I know who got the OBE e.g. certain NHS managers who failed their staff on every level but accepted the honour as if the success of their hospital services was all their own work without any thanks to their staff. I'm sure your husband is not one of those and that phrase although unpleasant is often used in public services.

I saw a picture of Rod and for a split second I thought he had died but then I saw that
he has been knighted and it made my day....loved Rod since I was 13 and now I'm 57,can't wait to go and see him, again.

I agree with you, Tracyliz! I love Rod too!
My friend's husband was given a well-deserved knighthood for his medical research and she is very embarrassed by it and doesn't use the title, except on one occasion booking EasyJet tickets!

I'm tickled pink about Rod's knighthood, - I've loved him for years and years. I must admit I was surprised though!
As for Tim Peake, yes he does deserve to be rewarded for many years of arduous training, and I think it is brave to go to the ISS for six months. I'w worried about how he is going to get down from there though... I hope he will be o.k. and land safely.

P.S. What do I think I should be rewarded for? Nothing really. Or maybe stoicism in the face of many problems throughout life.

Another actress has been made a dame (Penelope Wilton). Good enough actress but outstanding? I couldn't believe it when Kristin Scott Thomas got one. Now what I want to know is why Julie Walters doesn't get a damehood. She is a wonderful, talented actress who always seems "one of us".

Having read lots posts on Gransnet on so many different subjects, I am amazed at the fortitude and resilience with which you all face the problems of life.
Retirement and 'grannyhood' often brings with it not ease and relaxation, but a whole new career of unpaid childcare and worries about adult children, not to mention the health issues which we inevitably face as we grow older.
So today 'Queen Slutty' is going to award you all the Order of the Well-deserved Cuppa and Cream Cake - and of course huge pats on everyone's back.
We're an awesome crowd, aren't we?

Yes sluttygran we are the unsung heroes of this world. The economy would collapse if grandparents withdrew child care and one worker in two (who actually have children) was forced to stay at home. Either that, or the birth rate would fall to nearly zero! It's time that was recognised! ?

I loved the reason the actor Robert Morley gave for refusing a knighthood - a title could cause a rise in the price of fish

Oh well said Sluttygran! And thank you - at last we get the recognition we deserve!

I also think the awards are outdated, and agree they should only be given when someone has done something worthy but most importantly that gives them no personal gain. Wealth - fame or both!

Tim Peak will be a wealthy and revered man for the rest of his life, but as others so rightly say there were others who were qualified, ready and willing. Luck of the draw.

You are right BillieW Tim Peak has all the glory and fame he needs aready. It is like giving Honours to Olympic Athletes - what use is that when they already have their prized Olympic Medal?

glad to see Rod got a gong.

I'm pleased for Rod. He's been an excellent entertainer and musician for such a long time and is connected to so very many charities raising their profile and funds.

Hedy47 I couldn't agree more. I was just wondering why Stephanie Cole wasn't in the list?