Brian Lynas, a retired teacher from the south Antrim village, is to receive the BEM (Medal of the Order of the British Empire). Speaking to the Newtownabbey Times, the father-of-three, who grew up in Larne, explained: “The BEM came as a surprise and I am very humbled by the whole thing. "People must have noticed all the work being put in.
Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. "I went through the BB at Gardenmore Presbyterian Church and served there for around eight or nine years. After I got married, I moved to Templepatrick 50 years ago, going on to serve as a BB officer with 1st Templepatrick.
"I was involved with training officers from across Northern Ireland up until around five or six years ago. I would have been away from my family for approximately six to eight weekends throughout the year to train officers at Rathmore House in Larne. I would have helped to train thousands of officers over the years.
"Since news of my British Empire Medal was made public, I have received messages of congratulations from people linked to the BB from right across Northern Ireland and from BB headquarters. It means a lot and I am very grateful.” Mr Lynas, who has three grandchildren, also had a long career as a music teacher and was involved with the Mossgrove Youth Musical Festival in Newtownabbey.
Advertisement Advertisement He added: “I started my teaching ca.
