Ilkley residents in the King’s Birthday Honours list 2025

Saturday, 14 June 2025 16:47

Campaigning for the Clean River Group on TV! Becky Malby is awarded an BEM in the King's Birthday Honours

Three Ilkley names have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list released this week.

Awards go to Fiona Movley, the Chair and Trustee of Harrogate International Festivals who received a MBE [Members of the Order of the British Empire] for services to charity.

Also getting an MBE, Dr Christine Lingard for services to children and young people with special educational needs.

Awarded a BEM [British Empire Medal] is Professor Becky Malby, co-founder of the Ilkley Clean River Group and chair of the Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group.

Becky has been recognised for her contribution to river cleanliness and the local community and told Your Ilkley:

“Thank you to the lovely people of Ilkley for nominating me for this award. It is doubly special because it came from friends, neighbours, co-volunteers.

“There are some things we care about but we can do little, but there is so much we can do on our doorstep.

“So many people are part of this award, helping our neighbours, and trying to protect our precious environment. When we started the river campaign, we thought the extent of the pollution was because no one knew about it. 7 years later there are hundreds of campaign groups and across the country and we have uncovered the scandal of pollution for profit.

“Standing up to the giants isn't easy, it can't be done by individuals. I want to thank Ilkley not only for nominating me but also for all the incredible effort everyone puts in from water testing, to packing food parcels.

“People in Ilkley just 'show up' when there are problems. I am so lucky to love here."

Household names are being recognised for a range of achievements, charity work, fundraising or community involvement.

They include Olympic triathlon champion Wharfedale’s Alistair Brownlee who has been appointed OBE, David Beckham, Gary Oldman and Roger Daltrey who are all knighted and Elaine Paige is made a Dame. There are also MBEs for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.