The Lieutenancy of Banffshire
Letters of Commendation
Letters of Commendation for service to communities during the pandemic
A second round of Letters of Commendations from the Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire, Mr Andrew Simpson, and the Lord-Lieutenant of Moray, Major General Seymour Monro, have been awarded. These letters mark exceptional service by individuals and organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 90 Letters of Commendation were issued in October to various organisations and individuals, expressing thanks for everyone’s extraordinary contributions to their communities during the pandemic. This second round sees a further 90 worthy recipients acknowledged.
Recipients range from some of the emergency services to organisations supporting businesses and jobs; from education staff to teachers; from Rotary clubs to supermarkets and shops; and to all the very many individuals who have gone above and beyond for others to support them through the crisis.
Andrew Simpson said: “It has been humbling to read the nomination citations. So many people have looked after others in their communities, and have helped by keeping their businesses going to provide food and other items for people.
“I particularly want to thank all the teachers and support staff who have done their best to encourage their pupils through home-schooling and now back in the classroom. It has been a most testing time unlike anything we have experienced before.”
“Others gave outstanding support during the recent gas incidents in Keith and the surrounding area.”
Seymour Monro added: “I’m grateful to those who had raised funds so that essential food, clothing and finance were available to support those in special need. Andrew and I - as members of the Lieutenancies’ Moray Emergency Relief Fund team - are proud of the generosity of the people and businesses in Moray.
“I would also like to thank everyone involved in the delivery of the vaccines: the doctors, nurses, administrative staff, members of the Armed Forces and the many volunteer stewards”.
A recipient, Craig Robertson on behalf of Business Gateway, said receiving the commendation “is a real boost”.
“This last year has been a rollercoaster for businesses, and we’ve been on that journey with them. They’ve shown a huge amount of resilience and we’re proud to have played a role in supporting them.”
Both Lord–Lieutenants agreed that the ongoing nature of the pandemic would mean that there would be another tranche of letters in the middle of the year. Whilst acknowledging that there are ‘unsung heroes’, they congratulated all of those receiving Letters of Commendation for this well-deserved honour.
1st Forres Scout Group
3rd Battalion The Rifles
Aberlour and District Rotary Club
Alan and Janet Grant
Aldi, Elgin
Allan Cowie
Aonghus Archibald
Asda, Elgin
Bairds Pharmacy
Blair Moir
Bruce and Isobel Ross
Buckie and District Community Council
Business Gateway Moray
Circles Advocacy Service
Claire Doughty Publicity
Claire Herbert
Clarks Pharmacy
Co-op, Aberlour
Co-op, Buckie
Co-op, Dufftown
CU There Taxis
David Barrie Wallace MBE
Derek Ramsay
Discretionary Awards Team, Moray Council
Dufftown and District Branch of the Royal British Legion
Education Technologists Team
Elgin City Football Club
Elgin Rotary Club
Emi Andrews
Findhorn Bay Arts
Findochty Keystore
Fiona Thomson
Flying Mirrors Photography and Video
Fochabers Community Sing Virtual Choir
Forres Mechanics Football Club
Forres Rotary Club
Geraldine McKillop
Gordon and June Whiteford
Head of Education and Quality Improvement Managers
Iain Rennie
James Baird and Janice Dougan
Janice Flett
June Donald
Karen and Grahame Colliver
Kathleen Robertson
Kaye MacLeod, Asda Elgin Community Champion
Keith Rotary Club
Kelly McLaren
Kirsty Mitchell
Lidl, Buckie
Lidl, Elgin
Linda Gorn, Agnes Peters, Nora McPherson and Linda Gillies - Keith Kilt and Textile Centre
Lossie Restaurant
Lossiemouth Community Development Trust
Louise Kelman
Lt Col Grenville Johnston CVO OBE TD CA
Margaret Cormack
Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Mark Hancox and Andy Daggart, William Grant & Sons - Glenfiddich Distillery
Marks and Spencer Simply Food, Elgin
McKenzies Newsagents
Moravian Motors
Moray Citizens Advice Bureau
Moray Council Catering Team
Moray Council Criminal Justice Team
Moray Firth Credit Union
Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation
Moray School Staff
Positive Action Group
Quarriers
Red Cross Society
Regency Garage
Robert and Mhorag Martin
SACRO
Sarah Hunt Pilates
Scottish Ambulance Service
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Scottish Gas
Sonya Sinclair
Spar, Keith
Speyside Community Council
Team of Volunteers at Dr Gray's Hospital
Tesco, Buckie
Tesco, Elgin
Tesco, Forres
The Captain's Table
The Gather'n Café
William Robertson CBE DL
Youth Point Moray
Yvonne and Callum Squair