Dedicated health and education workers honoured

Angela Paget, who served at St Bede’s Catholic Junior School in Widnes for almost 33 years - 24 as head teacher -, has been awarded the OBE for services to education.

Angela dedicated her career to the education of her pupils.

Teachers say her spirit of generosity was evident every day.

She encouraged everyone, children and staff, to do their very best and strive for individual excellence.

A school spokesperson said: “She dedicated herself, heart and soul, to the very spirit of the school and embodied the school’s mission, life in all its fullness, throughout her career.

“Her passion for excellence was at the forefront of her work and she helped many children to reach their potential, something she aptly named their personal best.

“Teaching was Mrs Paget’s calling. She had the welfare and educational needs of almost four decades of children at heart and embraced this vocation with sincerity.”

Former pupils and parents have congratulated her on social media.

Also awarded an OBE, for his services to the NHS, was Thomas Whitfield.

Tony worked at St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for 20 years as finance director and deputy chief executive, between 1983 and 2003.

The 59-year-old, more commonly known as Tony, said: "It was a complete shock and I was really touched.

"I've been amazed how many people have been in contact with me since the news broke.

"My late mother was a nurse so the NHS was part of our lives throughout my childhood.

"In 1983 jobs were hard to come by so I stumbled into the NHS, but it was the best thing that I ever did because there's never been a time in all of those years that I've not felt I was in the right place for me and you feel that you can help to make things better for patients."

Tony, who retired recently, names his part in the building of St Helens Hospital and redevelopment of Whiston Hospital among his greatest working achievements.

He added: "I worked with some fabulous colleagues in St Helens."