Leader: Public service at every level deserves honours

NO MATTER what your opinion of honours and the current honours system may be, there should always be a place for recognising public service and achievements in all walks of life.

In that positive spirit, we congratulate all those who are the recipients of a New Year’s honour.

The range of people honoured strikes a good balance between what might be called the great – advisers to the royals and the like – and the good, the so-called ordinary people, including teachers, carers and others whose work in their communities is of immense importance yet often goes unrewarded.

So congratulations to Ronald Balfour Corbett, otherwise known as Ronnie, whose contribution to showbusiness over the years has been considerable; to Christopher Douglas Paterson, Chris to those who have admired his prowess on the rugby field for Scotland; and to Ms Lorraine Kelly, just plain Lorraine, who has become something of a national treasure.

More importantly, we offer congratulations to those who are not famous but should be recognised: people like Anne McFadden, for her efforts as a Glasgow headteacher; Margaret Laidlaw, of East Lothian, for her contribution to Unicef; and John Smith from Lanarkshire for his work with vulnerable children.