What excuse if any at all will be given for not KNIGHTING Clyde Best this time.
Government House and The Cabinet Office invited members of the public to submit nominations to be considered for Her Majesty the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honor for the 2016 New Year’s Honors.
Every year Government House sends this out and when the Honorees are announced Bermudians and others around the World ask the same Question, why has Clyde Best not been Knighted, Governments over the last 20 years have not answered the question.
In 2009 now Speaker of the House Randolph Horton, also a Former Sports Minister, said some people did not understand what an impact Best made playing for West Ham alongside legends such as World Cup winners Geoff Hurst and Bobby Moore - both of whom were Knighted.
He said famous black players who followed Best into the English game - John Barnes, Cyrille Regis and Viv Anderson among them - would all cite the Bermudian as their inspiration.
While making his speech Horton was getting support from both sides of the House, yet nothing was done during the remainder of the PLP’s tenure of Government and nothing has been done during the current administration which is the One Bermuda Alliance.
The next round of nominations should be received by 4 December, 2015. Nominees should be individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Bermuda’s society.
Typical categories and achievements include:
We ask did Clyde Best not accomplish the following:
Making a difference to their/his community or field of work; Enhancing Bermuda’s reputation; Long-term voluntary service; Innovation and entrepreneurship; Changing things, with an emphasis on achievement; Improving life for people less able to help themselves; Displaying moral courage and doing difficult things.
Honors are given to people involved in activities, including:
Community, voluntary and local services Arts and media Health Sports Education Science and technology Business and the economy Civil or political service
Governor George Fergusson said, “This is a process that used to be very closed. Now anyone can nominate people who have really made a difference in their community - earned respect, changed things, made things better for others, displayed moral or other courage. Everyone must know someone who comes into these categories. Not everyone can be given an award, but anyone can be nominated, with a good case made for them. And I would urge people to think about how these community heroes can be acknowledged.”
Nominations for Her Majesty the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honor can be made throughout the year. Nominations will be reviewed in November/December for the New Year’s Honors and in April/May for the Queen’s Birthday Honors in June of the same year.
Premier and Minister of National Security, Michael Dunkley, added, “There are many people in Bermuda who tirelessly provide excellent service to our community, going above and beyond the call of duty, often with little or no fanfare. We have an opportunity and obligation to recognize those who have donated their time and talent to helping others. I urge anyone who knows someone who is deserving of being considered for a Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honor to complete an application form and submit it to The Cabinet Office.”
Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.gov.bm and must be submitted to The Cabinet Office by Friday December 4th, 2015 at 5:00 pm.
Note: Those who nominate an individual they consider worthy of an Honor are requested not to advise the individual or discuss the matter with them.
