Just dishing them out to all and sundry seems all too common these days... I even heard a rumour that Lewis Shamilton would be getting one - presumably for winning a second title. And yet the only person who has ever been world champion on two wheels and four, and who has spent decades working for charity (John Surtees, for those who don't know) has consistently been denied one... Funny old world...
Johnny Wilkinson is famous for kicking an odd shaped ball. Once. At the right time. He'd have been just another player if it weren't for that one moment. Is that worth a knighthood? There's a retired couple I know that don't really do any obvious charitable work, but the entire community loves them. She makes cakes for everyone and they both dole out sound advice and warm hugs as required. They are the loveliest people on earth. They won't get a knighthood. The woman that faced up to the killers that hacked a soldier into pieces in London probably won't get a knighthood either.
I made the point on another thread. Sportsmen and women quite easily get knighthoods. Actors, reasonably easily. Popular musicians? Very rarely. Writers? Not so often. What about scriptwriters? Comedians? If they are handed out for the pleasure and influence they have had on millions, there is clearly a great imbalance. And you shouldn't have had to be successful in your field (hugely successful) AND have to do charity work to get one. They are two different areas of endeavour.
Or not. For those who have identified their local worthy potential recipients of awards and bemoaned the (likely) lack of formal recognition - here is the link. The honours system - GOV.UK Don't prevaricate, take some personal action-now. Do it. Get your nominations in, and actually change the system if you want to see change. Let us know when you've done your nominations and how you get on.
Well this thread is a bit of a non-event isn't it? Johnnie Wilkinson never received a Knighthood did he?
You wouldn't have heard of him Fin. Rugby player. Game played in England and Wales and occasionally by the Irish with moderate success. A lot of fun, Scots should give it a go some time.
I reckon the royal family has a bit of a monopoly on the major honours, and throw out a few tit-bits to the plebs in order to keep 'em sweet and on-side. These are Charlie's current titles His Royal Highness The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, Prince and Great Steward of Scotland, Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Extra Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Grand Master and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Member of the Order of Merit, Knight of the Order of Australia, Companion of the Queen's Service Order, Royal Chief Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu, Member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty
The tame Scot in my local - a millionaire businessman who wears a kilt and drinks only Islay single malt - says all the intelligent Scots able to relocate have moved to London because it offers myriad opportunities for them to better themselves. Though he often flies back to Edinburgh to visit his elderly parents. He also became a biker at the age of 41 because he wanted to ride in the deserts of North Africa, so he certainly knows a thing or two about taking risks to ensure his life is fulfilling - and not merely being content to sit on his arse and "play" with anyone, including himself! Just saying...
