Queens Birthday Honours for stand-out Moray community members


Moray’s best-known twins who have served together for Moray Council’s roads department for over half a century are to be honoured by the Queen.

John and Billy Grant joined the local authority at the same time in 1963 – and are still serving the community at 68 with no immediate plans to retire.

Now their dedication and hard work has been recognised with British Empire Medals in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

The pair, who are believed to be the longest serving employees in the country, were awarded long service commendation by the local authority to mark their 50th year of service last year.

Both now say that they are “thrilled” to receive the royal accolade for doing a job they love. “Sometimes we argue, but we never hold grudges – half an hour later we will be talking again,” John said of their incredible relationship.

He added: “I am the oldest by 15 minutes – but Billy has always been the fatherly figure, so we probably even each other out.”

The twins have spent their entire working lives together working from the Council’s Dava depot, having starting their working lives on the family farm before their father saw an advert for council road workers at the council depot.

He wrote to inform the local authority that he had two sons who were interested – and so it was that the twins were soon walking local roads keeping them clear of debris in the summer and snow in the winter.

Meanwhile the honours list includes Hopeman woman Anne McKimmie who will receive a British Empire Medal for her voluntary work, while another Moray Council employee, Jill Stewart from Dyke, is to be made a MBE.

Mrs Stewart, who is due to retire this year from her post as head of housing and property after a 38-year career with several Scottish local authorities. She said: “It is difficult to know why I have been singled out – even though it is very nice to have your efforts recognised in such a way.”

A British Empire Medal has also been awarded to Pam Ross, the 74-year-old chair of the Elgin branch of Alzheimer’s support.

Pamela has received her accolade in recognition of her 40 years as a voluntary worker, which has seen her serve the Samaritans, WRVS, New Elgin Primary school’s parent teacher association and a driver for meals on wheels.

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