WEDNESDAY 2PM: MELTON Council leader Malise Graham (Conservative) has been made an MBE in the New Years Honours published today in recognition of his voluntary service to the community.
Mr Graham, who is ward councillor for Wymondham, has served two spells as council leader and was Mayor of Melton in 1993/94. He has also been leader of the Conservative Group since 1994.
His mayoral charity was Rainbows Children's Hospice - at a time when the Loughborough hospice was just an idea on a piece of paper.
Mr Graham, of Sproxton, is also chairman of the Melton Mowbray Friends of Rainbows group. Over the past 10 years the group has raised a staggering £130,000 for Rainbows. Last year (2008) was their most successful yet, managing to raise £30,500.
He is also involved in Melton Mencap and has been president for many years. The family man, married to Pamela, used to have a family-run garden furniture business called Pamal run from their home.
- Also on the New Year Honours list is County Hall leader and East Midlands Regional Assembly chairman David Parsons, who becomes a CBE for his services to local and regional government and to the voluntary sector. Mr Parsons said: "I am extremely honoured to have received such an award. It is not just for me and reflects the work of the staff at the organisations I represent - Leicestershire County Council and the East Midlands Regional Assembly."
- Malcolm Lowe-Lauri, chief executive of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, also becomes a CBE for his work as chief executive of London's King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Diane Talbot, dietetic manager at Leicestershire County and Rutland Primary Care Trust, receives an MBE for services to public health.
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