A long serving sports teacher at Lymm High School and an Orford mother of two are among those from Warrington honoured in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.
Len Davies, who taught at Lymm High School from 1977 until his retirement in 2015, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the new year’s honours list for his services to Rugby
Union at levels including school, county, regional and national level.
He was master in charge of rugby at the school from 1981 onwards. In earlier years he was a compelling role model through his own high level playing career. He became a coach of growing experience and seniority, leading school teams in various age groups to local, regional and national success on numerous occasions. A number of individuals have gone on to success in the professional game, to regional and national representative schools rugby and many others have gone on to be involved in playing and enjoying rugby long beyond their schooldays. His involvement with coaching and selection at county, regional and national school aged levels has meant that his impact has been felt far beyond Lymm High School, but that the benefit of his wider involvement has also been returned to Lymm for the benefit of students.
In sport, whilst rugby is undoubtedly at the centre of his interests, he has overseen the broadening of the opportunities for students within PE and sport at Lymm with the result that students participate very widely in school and extra-curricular sport and excel in a range of sports, regularly producing elite performers at regional, national and international level. Currently the school is ranked 16th state school nationally by School Sport magazine with regard to competitive achievement in a range of sports. Over almost four decades, Len can be credited with shaping the school culture that underpins these aspirations both for teams and individuals, succeeding in maintaining a focus on range as well as depth of provision. He taught many generations of children in Lymm, was part of the school’s senior management team, and served as a staff governor.
Headteacher Gwyn Williams said: “We are all absolutely delighted to see Len’s dedication, hard work and commitment to the school and to Rugby Union recognised by the award of an honour. Through his own sporting career, his service as a teacher and his love of sport, he has been a great role model both for colleagues and for pupils. We are really pleased that while he is enjoying a well deserved retirement he continues to be involved in the school as a community governor.”
John Hopkinson, Lymm Rugby Club President added “I am delighted for Len and Rachel, a great reward for a life time in rugby. In addition to Len’s achievement with Lymm High School he has been a member of Lymm Rugby Club for over 30 years originally moving from Sale in the 1982/83 season and playing senior rugby until a knee injury forced his retirement, but he was far from done. He took up coaching at the club and won back to back promotions in the first three years.
“His coaching involvement with Cheshire RFU started with the U21’s and progressed to the senior team where he took charge for 11 years culminating in winning the county championship at Twickenham against Cornwall. Len continues his involvement with the club as a Vice President and is often around on Saturday afternoon’s supporting the teams. A great rugby man, an honour well deserved ”
Orford mum Gail Hall will also receive a BEM for services to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Gail from Withers Avenue, is Vice Chairman of Warrington Parents and Carers and for the past 10 years has worked helping other parents while also caring for a son with learning
difficulties who suffers from epilepsy.
Also honoured is Linda Ann Bateman, who is the deputy chief caseworker for UK Visas and Immigration at Home Office.
Linda, who lives in Warrington, will receive an MBE for public service and services to the Supportive Treatment of Migrants in the UK.
Len Davies with Mark Dixon and Alex Mitchell, two students who played for the England U18s
