Image demonstrating Lieutenancy Officer receives royal honour  

Lieutenancy Officer receives royal honour  

 
Bob Biggs from Morpeth has been awarded Member of The Royal Victorian Order (MVO) for his dedicated lieutenancy work for the county. 
 
Bob was named in Her Majesty’s News Year’s Honours List for his twenty-two years working in Lieutenancy and received his medal from The Duchess of Northumberland at a special ceremony at Alnwick Castle this week. 
 
The Member of The Royal Victoria Order is a special mark of honour conferred for extraordinary, important or personal services to the Sovereign.   

This has made the presentation even more poignant for Bob given the sad death of Her Majesty in September, as he was heavily involved in making arrangements in respect of Operation London Bridge, the Queen’s funeral plans, and had been working on this for the past 6 years. 

Bob who worked for Northumberland County Council was appointed Deputy Clerk to the Lieutenancy in 1999 and is in effect the right-hand man of
The Duchess in her work as Lord Lieutenant - the monarch’s official representative in the county. 

Her Grace, The Duchess of Northumberland said: 
“Bob is the lynch pin for every event the Lieutenancy hosts – whether it be a Royal Visit, my annual Garden Party for volunteers or a visit to a school. Thanks to his experience and knowledge of the county and its people, these events are always very successful and enjoyed by all. 

“Bob is incredibly well respected by everyone in the Lieutenancy and held in the highest of regard by us all. He is totally dedicated to his role – even when on holiday in the remotest of countries, he will manage to find wi-fi to enable him to keep in touch. He also has a great sense of humour and great people skills with a natural ability to diffuse any concerns - ensuring all events run smoothly.”  

Away from work Bob is also very philanthropic. Following a family holiday to Kenya in 2005, he was struck by the poverty in the area and once home he immediately started a mammoth fundraising effort, in order to help. He has so far purchased two minibuses, helped support a soup kitchen and supported a local school, as well as helping to fund a young man in Kenya on an eco-camp site project. 

Family is also very important to Bob, so much so that when his son was young Bob ran a local youth football team, attending weekend courses to gain the compulsory qualification required to do this. He also ran a local cricket team for young people, transporting youngsters to and from matches to ensure they could take part.  

Her Grace added: 
Bob does not relish being centre of attention, much preferring to stay firmly in the background, but the time has come to shine the spotlight his way, and I am delighted and proud to have been able to present Bob with this very well-deserved honour.” 
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