We were all delighted to hear that Peter had been honoured by the King in the New Year’s Honours list.
It is an award that it is very much overdue and should have been given a long time ago. However, receiving an award takes a long time. There are many considerations to be made by the Honours Committee before offering an award.
Initially there must be an application. That involves a lot of research to justify the application. Secondly it needs to be supported by others who know the intended recipient far better that the applicant. Getting those valedictory letters takes time.
Once the application has been sent the applicant will receive an acknowledgement and that is basically it. You hear no more from them and are told that you should not discuss the application with the intended recipient.
An emotional moment for Peter as Bees fans are told about his honour at the Liverpool game.
There can be several false dawns over several years. I suspect that there is a limit to the number of awards that are handed out to an organisation or type of organisation
Occasionally you may receive an email from the Cabinet Office asking for an update, that can raise hopes that the award is about to be imminently offered.
Of course, there is always the possibility that the recipient might turn the offer of an award down, again you would never know, despite all your hard work in making the application.
You cannot specify what sort of award you are seeking. Many supporters had suggested Peter should receive a knighthood. However, justified that might be that is not for us to request. Let’s just be grateful that he has been recognised for his service to Football and the Community of Hounslow.
Peter, congratulations.
Bees United Board Member
A double celebration for Peter Gilham BEM with Bees fans after victory over Liverpool.
Bees fan Jim Levack wrote a tribute to Peter for the Beesotted website