As you know we said farewell to the Heritage Awards on the 31^st December 2012 and have now embraced the new Survive & Save Programme which includes a Bronze, Silver and Gold Medallion.

We mentioned in our previous blog entry, the Scottish Eastern Branch held Heritage Awards Assessments on New Year’s Eve in a bid to be some of the last awarded the Heritage Bronze Medallion and other Heritage Awards.

Having made an event of the occasion and getting Heritage Bronze Medallion t-shirts made, we have been eagerly awaiting the photo’s…and here they are:

Well done to all those who took part, looks like a great day! Also congratulation goes to Bryan Finlay, Vice Chair of the Scottish Eastern Branch, who has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours 2013 under the following:

• Community Resuscitation Development Officer, Scottish Ambulance Service. For services to Healthcare and the community in the Lothians and Borders.

This medal is recognition of the dedication and hard work people provide to the community. The Medal was founded in 1971 and was awarded as recognition by the crown for meritorious civil or military service. In 1993 the medal was scrapped by former Prime Minister John Major in his bid to drive forward a classless society. The medal was revived in 2012 by Prime Minister David Cameron to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and will be awarded annually to about 300 community volunteers.

The full list of New Year Honours 2013 can be seen on the Guardian website.

Don’t forget – anyone who completed the Heritage Awards Assessment before December 31^st 2012, you need to send all your paperwork to RLSS UK by 31^st January 2013.