Page 187 - Archived Back Issues

Andy Rhodes
On 5 January this year the President of the United States of America was pleased to award the USA Meritorious Service Medal to Lieutenant Commander Andrew Rhodes RN for distinguished accomplishments which reflected great credit upon himself, the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense, the Royal Navy and the United States Army.
Following service at sea as Weapons Engineer Officer on HMS Cumberland, at the time when she became a vital component of the Libya Emergency of 2011, Liveryman Lt Cmdr Andy was seconded to the United States for a period of two years. During this time, along with his other duties, he participated with the USA in the destruction of the Syrian Chemical Weapons Program! He clearly represented his country and the Royal Navy very well indeed.
We now welcome Liveryman Andy home to the United Kingdom and congratulate him on receiving such a prestigious award. Well done Andy!
Teaching Block named after Past Master
Past Master, Geoff Morgan has been honoured by one of the largest and most successful mixed comprehensive schools in the country by naming a new £1.7m teaching block after him. Geoff served as a governor of St Martin's School, Brentwood for 27 years and was Chair of the governing board for some 5 years.
The new block, which will be used to teach English and Maths at the school which is rated "outstanding" by OFSTED, was formally opened by Geoff pictured on the left outside the building with Head Teacher, Mike O'Sullivan. Geoff said at the ceremony, "I was staggered when I heard the building was going to be named after me. It is a great honour. I thought I was making a contribution to the school and they have rewarded me more than I could have ever anticipated".
Having worked in Human Resources, Geoff has a life-long interest in education in both the private and public sectors. He was Chairman of the Education and Training Committee of the Firefighters Company for some 3 years before standing down at the end of 2013. He is now a governor of Havering College of Further and Higher Education which has 10,000 students. He is also active with charities and is currently Chairman of the Board of Brentwood Citizens Advice Bureau and was a trustee of a national charity concerned with the employment of disadvantaged people.
Geoff, who was Master Firefighter 2009-10, was attracted to livery because of its extensive contributions to charities and to education and development.
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