Glaswegians recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours

Hazel Ralston, a former teacher at Anderston primary school, was "in total shock" after getting the news six weeks ago.

The 63-year-old, who retired two years ago, was given the honour for her services to education and youth development. She helped set up the Anderston Youth Cafe seven years ago.

She said: "I was so surprised! It's not something you ever think about for yourself and now this week is here I've been getting quite excited.

"It was a total shock, so unexpected. I'll do some digging to find out who nominated me!"

Mrs Ralston, who told husband Andrew and daughter Miranda about her MBE, said the cafe came about because there was nowhere for young people in Anderston to go.

She added: "We opened the Anderston Youth Cafe back in 2009. We set up an action group in 2008 because there was underage drinking in the area and neighbours near the school reported it. We felt there was nothing for the young people to do. There was nothing free, unless they were interested in sports.

"We got an old housing office and set it up as a cafe, with tables and chairs and it was about providing a place for them to go, and to get involved with projects."

Mrs Ralston, from Bearsden, said they wanted to get the young people involved with the local community.

She said: "The church has a small garden so we tidied that up, and we did baking for one of the care homes in the area.

"At the moment, we're looking at doing something in one of the back quadrants, working with Dobbies to see how we can change it. It's about giving the children a sense of self worth and seeing there are things they can do."

Also celebrating today is newsagent and Scout leader David Woodrow, who was so keen to keep his MBE secret he's been sleeping with the letter containing news of it under his pillow for weeks.

He said: "It's humbling.

"And the fact that it's happened in the year the Queen turns 90 makes it even more special."

Mr Woodrow, who has been involved with the Scouts since he joined aged five, is currently district chairman for the Renfrewshire Scouts.

The father-of-three and grandfather-of-seven, who has been running the family newsagent in Bishopton after taking over from his father in 1980, has previously served as a Scout leader and area commissioner.

He said: "You get a lot of satisfaction when you see the many opportunities we are creating for young people.

"Being in the Scouts is good for their future employment too, it shows employers they have got commitment, they're a team player and prepared to be part of something."

He was away with the Scouts when the letter telling him of his MBE arrived, he added.

"I came back and I was expecting my wife Pat to be a bit tetchy when I got back as she had to do my work during the four days but she had a smile on her face," he said.

And his love of Scouting has been passed to his three sons, with Dougie, Stuart and Andrew all involved.

"There's been an 18% increase in Scout membership over the past year and there are 50,000 youngsters involved across Scotland," he added. "The important thing is we're helping to get them off the streets and they're doing something."

Mr Woodrow, 67, is planning a big family celebration. He said: "All my family came out to see me when I got to carry the baton in the Commonwealth Games relay.

"This time the family turnout might even top that!"

A grandmother-of-six who has volunteered for ChildLine for 12 years said she is "overwhelmed" to have been recognised in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Meg Robertson, from Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, has counselled thousands of young people on issues including bullying, self-harm and suicide in more than 1,300 hours of volunteering from the NSPCC-run helpline's Glasgow base.

The 72-year-old said she "thought it was a mistake" when she opened the letter announcing her British Empire Medal for services to children and young people.

She said: "I was in complete disbelief. Then I called the number to double-check it was meant for me. I realised then that my ChildLine colleagues had nominated me. It was overwhelming.

"Once I got over the shock and surprise, I was absolutely thrilled. ChildLine means a lot to me - I love the organisation and everything it does for young people. To be given this medal for my services is a great honour.

"I absolutely love volunteering - it's very rewarding. The children are wonderful - they are bright and so respectful, and appreciative of the time you take to listen to them.

"You get so much back from counselling and it also restores your faith in humanity. It's also nice to give something back to the young people as they really need ChildLine."

Others recognised in the Birthday honours include Alastair McPherson Dinsmor, chairman of Glasgow Police Heritage Society, who was given an MBE, as was former Herald journalist Melanie Reid, Malcolm Joseph Livingstone for services to the Jewish community in Glasgow, Lorraine McKenzie, of East Dunbartonshire's Women's Aid and Allan Devlin MBE, chairman of Cumbernauld community council.

Duncan Douglas Faulds Rae, managing director of Golden Casket (Greenock) Ltd and chairman of Greenock Morton Football Club, was given and OBE, as was Norman William Kerr, chairman of Glasgow Children's Panel and Professor John Campbell Brown, from Glasgow, Astronomer Royal for Scotland.

Fashion designer Dr Tessa Hartmann, of Killearn, was given a CBE.

British Empire Medals were given to Evelyn Clark, for services to St Andrews hospice in Lanarkshire,

Margaret Ann McAuley for voluntary service to young people in Glasgow, and staff nurse Margaret Russell, of Wishaw General Hospital.

The Queen's Fire Service Medal was given to Paul Connelly, from Glasgow, deputy assistant chief officer with the fire service.