Craven men Steve Woodford and Arthur Wilson were celebrating this week after being awarded MBEs in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Steve, 48, of Settle, won the award in recognition of his work for the Leeds-based charity Foundation Housing.

He is the pioneering force behind the charity, which has been going strong for the last 16 years and set up the Settle-based THYNC project (Training and Housing for Young People in North Craven) and the Craven Housing Scheme in South Craven.

Steve told the Herald: "I'm deeply moved by the award because it shows that the work of Foundation Housing, which is so important in today's society, has been appreciated.

"The staff have earned this honour as a team and we do the work because we believe in it. But the award is appreciated for the recognition it brings to Foundation Housing and to the needs of our customers who would otherwise be homeless."

Foundation runs a range of supported housing for single homeless people, mostly aged between 16 and 25, who would otherwise have difficulty in finding or managing their own tenancy. Many have been brought up in care or left home and been in trouble with the police.

Foundation gives them a first step towards rebuilding their lives and taking up training and job opportunities. The charity has grown from a project with Steve and two others, to an organisation with 100 staff that helps over 1,000 people a year.

Also honoured was Steeton man Arthur Wilson, 96, who was awarded the MBE for his services to Steeton Male Voice Choir. The well-known baritone has been part of the choir for nearly 80 years and is its longest serving member. He remained modest about the honour, however, commenting: "I'll be glad when it all settles down!"

Tom Shuttleworth, a fellow choir member, said of Mr Wilson: "He deserves it. We are really pleased for him."

Mr Wilson held the position of conductor for 25 years and has also enjoyed success as a soloist, winning various trophies. Steeton Male Voice Choir gives some 30 concerts a year, raising money for a variety of charities.

o Jerry Pearlman, a member of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, also received the MBE for his services to the National Ramblers Association.

Mr Pearlman, a solicitor in Leeds, is also a trustee of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, based in Clapham. He has been a member of the Ramblers Association for 42 years, and is currently its national solicitor.

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