OBE for 'Mr Education'

Harold Williams (61) is retiring in the summer after a career spanning 40 years, the last 27 in Bury. During that time, he has helped the borough become one of the top five local education authorities.

Originally from Wigan, Mr Williams arrived in Bury in 1978 as headteacher of All Saints CE Primary School in Whitefield, moving to Tottington Primary School in the same post.

He then joined the council as an education adviser in 1986, and was appointed chief education officer in 1997 before taking up the post of director of education and culture five years later. He officially retired in April with the creation of the councils new childrens services department, but is leading special education projects within the authority before his departure in August.

"It has been a great pleasure to work in education over the last 40 years," he said. "I have particularly enjoyed the time spent in Bury since 1978 and am proud of our education and culture service.

"It is a very great honour to be awarded an OBE in respect of my service but I would not have achieved such recognition without the tremendous support of family, friends and colleagues."

An M.A. and B.Ed., he was educated at Chester College, the University of Lancaster and University of Salford.

Mr Williams, who is married to Jill, has lived in Heaton near Bolton for 18 years.

l Professor Anthony Stevenson Blinkhorn, from Whitefield, has received an OBE for his services to dentistry.

l THE second in command of Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Deputy Chief Constable Alan Green, has been awarded a Queen's Police Medal for distinguished police service.

DCC Green transferred to GMP in June 1995 after joining the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1971 and was promoted to his current rank two years ago He is the national lead for the ACPO Criminal Use of Firearms Portfolio, has a Masters Degree in Police Studies and also holds a Diploma in Applied Criminology from Cambridge University.