New Year’s Honours: Former university chief and caring volunteer given royal approval

It is a case of the former for the ex-vice-chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, Professor Susan Price who awaits a date with The Queen to receive a CBE.

Prof Price, of Wetherby, is bestowed with the honour for services to higher education, having been credited by many for turning around the then named Leeds Metropolitan University.

As the institution’s first female vice chancellor when she joined in January 2010, the university’s finances, performance and staff morale were all being called into question but she left the university with its reputation restored.

On the other hand, care for the elderly, has been the speciality of Priscilla Kealy of Ripon for decades.

Mrs Kealy, 73, receives an MBE for services to the community having given outstanding service to the almshouse residents and historic chapels of Ripon, as well as 33 years as a magistrate in the cathedral city.

She has served for the past 10 years as a clerk and trustee to the Hospitals Almshouses and Chapels Trusts, entirely on a voluntary basis.

In recent years she has overseen three sets of 19th century almshouses, accommodating 17 elderly residents, together with two chapels.

She is well known in Ripon and in her village community where she has served as church warden to North Stainley Church for over 40 years and she also finds time to work on the committee of the local Red Cross and as a contributor to Yoredale News.

She is also a governor of North Stainley School.

Mrs Kealy said she was taken aback at receiving notification from the Cabinet Office.

“My work has been tremendously enjoyable and I’ve been very lucky having the time to do it and the husband and family around me to do it,” she said.