Knighthoods?

[Govangirl]

I know folk on here will not agree with me so I'll say that from the start BUT is it right that Hoy gets a knighthood? I was totally for it and think I even said on here that he deserves it but now I'm not so sure. I forgot how every year wnen the list is published I get hot under the collar! Hoy worked hard at something that he himself wanted and the reward for that is his haul of medals. But to me a knighthood should be given for a lifetime of service, for the brave and exceptional. There are many soldiers who deserve an award more than someone who can ride a bike really quickly. I see that Robert Plant was rewarded - great, I love him, he has given me years of pleasure but an award for fronting a rock band? Surely Rebecca Adlington needs to do more before she gets on the list?
To me the real heroes deserve recognition - the work, for example, that Marina Dalglish has done for breast cancer and the remarkable heroes of July 7th. The achievements of sporting stars and celebrities pale into insignificance.

Saying that, I'm dead upset that Brucie has been snubbed. 60 years is service indeed.

[LANDROVER ROGER]

Good points there.Any idea who makes the final decision?

[Martin]

For the most part I'm disgusted with it, seems knighthoods and awards come very easy these days and I think that cheapens them somewhat. Pleased that Robert Plant got something but more pleased that Robert and Caroline Rejdak, got an MBE for services to children and families, having fostered a total of 117 children of all ages over a period of 30 years.
Also, this old girl probably deserves what she got, eighty-seven-year-old Dorothy Atton is made an MBE, having been a Royal British Legion volunteer since 1946.
Very dissapointed that Brucie didn't get his knighthood

[Beachcomber]

The ones that annoy me are the ranks of senior civil servants and the like who receive an honour for just doing their jobs.

[Sheik Yir Erse]

I can almost hear Ionns battering the keyboard as we speak!

Govangirl - I once read an article by Jon Snow the newsreader about why he refused his, it was a fantastic piece of journalism, and after reading it I couldn't really understand why ANYONE would ever accept an honour. I did try to find it for you, but I'm all googled out. He went on to conduct an investigation into the Honours System for Channel 4, and that's not on youtube either.

Obviously being an oil rich sheik morals and principles are not something I come into contact with, and have accepted many honours along the way.

Yours sincerely
Lord Sheik of Sheikdom III OBE, MBE, KBE, CBE, BSE, ABC, Mi5, Mi6, M8, A83, WTF, GTF, LOL, GIRUY, TTFN

[Govangirl]

The ones that annoy me are the ranks of senior civil servants and the like who receive an honour for just doing their jobs.

Aye, like the Treasury Chief!!!! What's that about?

Also, this old girl probably deserves what she got, eighty-seven-year-old Dorothy Atton is made an MBE, having been a Royal British Legion volunteer since 1946.

Now that's what I mean, Martin, if anyone deserves to be a Dame, it's her! They need to look at the whole system.

And I'll look for that Sheik tomorrow night, when my heid is better!

[gizmo]

The ones that annoy me are the ranks of senior civil servants and the like who receive an honour for just doing their jobs.

Aye, like the Treasury Chief!!!! What's that about?

Is that not the same with Chris Hoy, Bruce Forsyth et al

[Mary G]

Landrover Roger: The system, and decision-making, is explained here: http://www.honours.gov.uk/

I agree with Govangirl that community service is what should be honoured, in the main. Such as foster carers, for whom I have the most enormous admiration. This emphasis would chime better with the views of most people in the country, I think. That said, I do think that it is important to recognise excellence and achievement too, so the idea that Chris Hoy is knighted is fine by me. I think we can do both.

There have been attempts in recent years to change the whole system and the process for nominating, to make it more transparent, and more in tune with what people expect. That is also explained on the web-site.

It is open to any of us to nominate someone. I have a couple of people in mind who selflessly have given so much to their communities, and I would love to see them honoured. They go well beyond the normal 'call of duty'. So I really should fill in the paper-work. I know that there are people in Kintyre who are deserving, and there is nothing to stop any of us organising a nomination.

Overall, I agree there are imperfections with an honours system and some are mentioned above. But I am still in favour. Anyway, what doesn't have room for improvement?

[four eyes]

honours system= outdated bollocks

[ionnsaigh]

Honours system = get a life.

[A Horse called Juan Face]

Sir Horse of Peffery.

[hugh]

Sir N. De Pitty

He wasn't even looking for a knighthood.