ROYALLY REWARDED

This month Ulster Tatler features a selection of photographs from those members of the community recognised in the Queen’s Honours.

JOAN MCAULEY BEM

Joan McAuley has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) after working with small children at the Peter Pan Playgroup in Trillick for 27 years. Mrs McAuley only found out she would be receiving her honour on New Year’s Eve the same time the public did, via email. She said that it was a complete surprise. “I have been working for 27 years with kids between the ages of three and four. I love my job. I wouldn’t have been there for so long if I didn’t love it.”

ANNE BROWN BEM

Mrs Anne Brown, Counsellor at Belfast Women’s Aid received a British Empire Medal by The Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast Dame Fionnuala Jay O’Boyle at a recent ceremony at Hillsborough Castle in recognition of her service to victims of Domestic Violence. Here she is pictured with her husband Roland Brown.

Photo by Aaron McCracken

WENDY ANDERSON MBE

Wendy Anderson MBE, a respiratory consultant who works in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has been made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list for her work during the pandemic.

Wendy was invited to attend the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Wendy wore a dress from ‘Droopy and Brown’ in Edinburgh, purchased 25 years ago and attended the reception with her niece Lara, who finished a language degree the day prior.

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Men’s Stylist of The Year

Abi Walker, Aidy Boyd, Laird Law, Farrah Neeson and Jordan Boam.

Laird Law Male Grooming was established in 2013 and started off with me renting a chair to growing an award-winning salon. I believe that the vision I had for the salon became a success through sharing it with my team. Though the team at Laird Law Male Grooming has changed over the years the vision and standard remain the same. Over the last 6 months our team has grown once again, we have doubled or staff and are still in plans to expand. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 our plans to open new premises in the luxury hotel of Galgorm Golf Resort and Spa have been put on hold, although, we are thankful to still be in contact and continue to build a great relationship with them.

Having our plans for expansion set back, we decided to put our focus on building the brand in another area which has seen us really push for our own product line. We are currently in the process of developing our own products starting with shampoo and conditioner. We plan to release multiple lines of styling products including spray powder, sea salt mousse, clay and texture paste. We believe that beginning with the shampoo and conditioner will establish our own luxury scent at the backwash where the client relaxes and will smell the unique essence of Laird Law Male Grooming. Our shampoo and conditioner are due to be ready in the next eight to ten weeks.

In March 2022, a lady came into our shop and asked if we would make a home visit for her friend, a gentleman who was terminally ill. That evening I got Tony freshened up, listened to his story, had a laugh and there was no doubt in my mind I would see Tony again for another trim, but that wasn’t to be as Tony passed away 7 days later. Tony and his story inspired me to get in contact with Marie Curie and we now offer our services free of charge to those in need. This year we are in for four awards; Male Grooming Venue of the Year, Men’s Stylist of the Year, Barbers of the Year and Salon Ambiance of the Year. This is our biggest year to date. We took home the award for Men’s Stylist of the Year award which is amazing, although we are always striving for more. As a leading salon we are passionate about every client. Laird Law Male Grooming give their best every single time.

August 2022 is the year I am fi nally getting married so I thought I would create a promo video entitled, ‘The Law’s’. We are going to record the wedding preparations with clips including all the groomsmen getting cuts and shaves in the shop, a little socialising night, all the groomsmen in the shop on the morning of the wedding getting styled up and then arriving at our wedding venue, Galgorm Castle. This promotional video is intended to show any future grooms that we want to play a part in their big day and encourage them to book out our salon for that exclusive wedding day experience.

We hope that you have enjoyed our journey so far. Thank you from all the team.

Aidy Boyd, Laird Law and Farrah Neeson.