A NURSE from Barnsley has been made a Dame in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.
Professor Dame Hilary Chapman is the chief nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and has been awarded the accolade for services to nursing.
Also honoured are David Allen, of Racecommon Lane, Barnsley, and James Travis, of Ben Bank Road, Silkstone Common, who have been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community.
Hilary, of Cawthorne, joined Sheffield Teaching Hospitals as chief nurse in 2006 and leads 6,500 nurses and midwives. She started her nursing career at the Northern General in Sheffield as a staff nurse, and then sister, in cardiothoracic surgery and critical care.
Before joining the trust, Hilary was the chief nurse at the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire. She was made a CBE in 2012.
Hilary said: “It was a shock, but amazing. I’m completely humbled. I’m just a normal person, born and bred in South Yorkshire and I think it’s fantastic for Barnsley, the city of Sheffield and fantastic for nursing.
“I have worked in nursing a long time, and have done some national work too, I helped develop a tool to determine how many staff you need on a ward.”
Hilary said she enjoyed being part of the team and loved the privilege of being able to make a difference to people.
She added: “The day I registered as a nurse was one of the proudest days of my life. “I have loved every job I’ve ever had, I have been really lucky and privileged to have worked with so many talented people.”
Also honoured is David Allen, chairman of the Friends of Locke Park and the Barnsley Disabled Sports Club. He is also treasurer of the Barnsley Biodiversity Trust, which aims to protect wildlife.
David, 73, is a co-founder of the friends’ group, and has been involved since it started 15 years ago.
He and the other volunteers have transform the park, which was once rife with dog-fouling, into an attractive place with a children’s play area, an annual gala and classic car show and cafe. The group was also responsible for the re-opening of the Locke Park Tower, which had been closed for 30 years.
He said: “I was astonished to get this award. Actually, I was quite emotional that someone had found the time to put my name forward for such an award. I was very moved by that.
“It is nice to be in a position to be able to help, and working full time has enabled me to do this. This privilege has been hard won. I’m 73 and work five days a week and it’s ongoing. But I do feel privileged to be able to help others.”
James Travis, 79, of Ben Bank Road, Silkstone Common, was involved in the restoration of Silkstone Church between 1993 and 2010. A new chapel was designed to accommodate people from Stainborough when their church closed, and the church roof had to be repaired.
He said: “It has been a lot of hard work. But to be listed in the New Year’s Honours and receive an award is a privilege. It is not only for me, but for the communities of Silkstone and Silkstone Common. I am pleased that people think so much has been put into the village in a charitable way.”
James has also organised nine flower festivals in Silkstone, was the chairman of Silkstone branch of the Royal British Legion, and is a trustee of the Cutlers Charity which grants money to organisations. In addition, he raises money for Barnsley Hospice.
James Courtney, South Yorkshire’s chief fire officer, has been awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal - the highest award of its kind a serving fire officer can receive.
