TV duo among UCLan’s new honorary award recipients
Two well-known television celebrities with links to the red rose county are among five people being recognised with honorary awards from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Former Doctor Who companion, Blue Peter presenter and Crufts’ commentator Peter Purves and The Great British Sewing Bee judge Patrick Grant will take to the stage in Preston to receive Honorary Fellowships.
They will be joined by graphic designer Becky Chilcott, international strategic development specialist Professor John Fyfe CBE and archaeologist Dr Gill Hey who will all accept prestigious Honorary Doctorates.
The University’s degree and award celebrations, which run from 11 to 15 July on the Preston Campus, will see thousands of students don their academic caps and gowns across 14 graduation ceremonies.
Graduates will take to the stage in the transformed Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre and will enjoy their post-event celebrations with family and friends on the new multi-million-pound University Square.
To ensure family and friends around the world can watch the celebratory ceremonies, live streaming will be available on the University’s YouTube channel.
Peter, who was born in New Longton, will receive his award on the morning of Wednesday 13 July to acknowledge the significant contribution he has made in services to television, acting and presenting and in particular, support for the University’s recent remake of the lost 1960s Doctor Who episode ‘Mission to the Unknown’.
Patrick, who runs Community Clothing and Cookson & Clegg, both Lancashire based, is being recognised for the significant contribution he has made to the British clothing and textile industry, as well as supporting the University at events such as the Leaders in Residence Network Launch. He will receive his award on the morning of Friday 15 July.
Becky will be honoured for the significant contribution she has made in services to graphic design and the support given to UCLan Publishing while Dr Hey is being recognised for the significant contribution she has made in services to archaeology and support in providing placements for the University’s archaeology students.
Professor Fyfe is being acknowledged for the significant long-term contribution he has made to the UCLan’s Applied Policy Science Unit and to the Samuel Lindow Foundation, particularly through the provision of expertise and extensive practical experience in the fields of politics, policy and government. Professor Fyfe is also being honoured for his contribution to the development of ‘partnerships’ in community development, internationally, of which the association with UCLan and its presence at Westlakes Science Park in Cumbria is a special example.