Page 63 - Archived Back Issues

Role of Honour Firefighters recognised in New Year’s Honours
Richard Gordon Scriven, Past Master of the WCoFF, passed away at the end of 2009. He was one of life’s great characters, well known for his knowledge of good wines and immense affability to all.
Richard went to school at Winchester where he excelled at rowing. He undertook military service with the Scot’s Guards and then gravitated to the City to work with various financial institutions and merchant banks before retiring in 1984.
He maintained a strong interest in his local community affairs, eventually becoming Mayor of East Grinstead and a Governor on several notable schools. He also became a magistrate on the Mid-Sussex Bench in 1964.
In keeping with his corporate and civic responsibilities, Richard joined a number of City Livery Companies achieving the double distinction of becoming Master of the Salter’s and the Leather Sellers and the Company of Firefighters. He rose in the City Corporation, becoming Chairman of Policy and Resources and Chief Commoner and a Member for the Ward of Candle- wick (1984 -2003) . He contributed on many City committees and was awarded the CBE for his services in 1998.
Amongst Richard’s many other interests and achievements, he was Chairman of the Board of Talking Newspapers for the blind in 2005; was a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce; a Member of the Institute of Export and served on the Trustee Board of St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London Charitable Foundation.
Kelly Fairman, a Liveryman of our Company, was honoured with an MBE for her work with the Fire Service.
Seen here in the centre pictured with James Shannon, President of NFPA and Sir Ken Knight, Kelly joined London Fire Brigade in 1989 and recently received a 20 year service award. Her career has seen her work in the Brigade personnel and public relations departments. She also spent three years as staff officer to the Brigade’s then Commissioner Sir Ken Knight. In Janu- ary she returned to London Fire Brigade after a two year secondment as Senior Fire and Res- cue Advisor within the Government’s Fire and Rescue Advisors team.
Kelly upon hearing the news said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have received this award and it has been an honour to have supported the work of the fire and rescue service over the last 20 years – as well as the work of the wider fire family including the fire industry and fire charities.
Peter French, a recent new member of the WCoFF was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List for many years of work in supporting UK and Global Police Law Enforcement Agencies and for his chari- table work with Security Professionals.
Peter is the Chairman of SSR Personnel - a leading global consultancy engaged in the permanent recruit- ment and contract hire of personnel in the security, fire, IT and Health and Safety sectors. His company is one of only 120 UK organisations to have been recognised by the Department of Trade and Industry as be- ing "world class" in stature and service delivery.
Although new to the WCoFF, Peter is a Past Master and a Principle-Founder and Trustee of The Worship- ful Company of Security Professionals. He is also Chairman of Here4U, a sub-committee that supports those in the security risk environment who have fallen on difficult times. An excellent organiser who has assisted in raising over £500,000 for nu- merous and worthy charitable causes, we congratulate Peter on his well deserved Honour.
Other firefighters given honours included a CBE for Peter Holland QFSM, Chief Fire Officer for Lancashire, for his services to Local Government .
In Memoriam
Gordon Scriven
C.B.E., C.St.J, J.P., F.R.S.A., M.I.Ex 6th June 1928 - 1st December 2009