Friday 14 December 2007

Well Done Ray! (now get in that limelight...)

Yesterday, Ray Hulpert (better known to some of you as the Vice-Chair of Upper Horfield Community Trust, member of Eden Grove Methodist Church, and general all-round local dynamo) received his MBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace for services to the community.Spot the star of the day... ( Hint: he's hidden himself at the back...)

It is both heartening and humbling to see a man like Ray, who has devoted his life to serving his community, without fuss, and without fanfare, receive the honours he deserves. To be absolutely honest, people like Ray put politicians to shame. One of the odd and unedifying things about political work, is that you are expected to trumpet your achievements all over the election literature you put through peoples' doors. And there's usually a press release... If Ray, and others like him, had press released everyone one of his achievements, and put it on literature through our doors, I don't think the Evening Post would have room for much else, and we'd wade through six feet of paper every morning to open our doors.

I took Ray to tea at the House of Lords, with a lady I used to work with, Baroness Perry of Southwark. It was a lovely way to end the day. At the end, we all lined up for a photo outside the House of Lords. (Photo above.) It was only when I got home and uploaded my photos that I realised - Ray had managed to put himself at the back again... (second on the right.) in the photo to celebrate his own MBE!

Ray, you are a lesson and an inspiration to us all.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Ray. Its so nice to hear the stories of local people who have been helping to shape their communities for years. You really are the unsung heroes. It is people like you, who are the foundations of communities up and down the country.

Anonymous said...

Its good to see epople like Ray being recognised for all the good work they do for Bristol - though I can't help think I'd never see you at the back of a photo!