A member of Leigh Lodge No 4744, who is also a Provincial Grand Steward, Steve Ralph, has been recognised by Her Majesty the Queen in her birthday honours for services to the community. It was announced in the honours list that Steve has been awarded an MBE.
Baden Powell watching over Steve Ralph MBE.
Steve received notification of his award in a communication earlier this year and was sworn to secrecy until official publication of the honours list on 10 June. Speaking about the award, Steve said: “I was totally shocked and humbled that someone had bothered to put me in for an award.”
Becoming a Member of the Most Excellent Order of The British Empire is granted to people who have made a significant achievement or given outstanding service to the community. There is no doubt that Steve has contributed significantly to his local, and indeed, wider community.
He is District Commissioner for Lilford District Scouts, Assistant County Commissioner for Activities in Greater Manchester West, a County Mountaineering and Duke of Edinburgh Advisor. Steve joined the Scouting movement as a Cub Scout then becoming a leader in 1982. He was one of the unit leaders for the United Kingdom Scout Association contingent to the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden in 2011 and received Scouting’s second highest award, the Bar to the Silver Acorn in the St George’s day awards.
Steve was a police officer with Greater Manchester Police, retiring in 2012 following 30 years’ service. Steve was also a member of HM Reserve forces and saw active service during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. He is an avid motorcyclist and traveller, he is married to Sue and they have two daughters, Kate and Hannah.
In May, Steve was promoted to acting Provincial Grand Steward, a role he undertakes with much vigour as well as working for the Border Force at Manchester Airport. In Leigh Lodge he is both mentor and charity steward and in addition is the Leigh Group Charity Steward.
One may indeed wonder how Steve manages to fit in enough time to dedicate time to serving his community, but he does and clearly from the prestigious recognition received he does it well.
Steve will officially receive his MBE later in the summer when he attends a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, further to follow on this later. In the meantime, let all our readers join with the whole Province in congratulating Steve.