News

PROFESSOR BROOK COLLECTS HIS MBE AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Wednesday 10th December 2003

Following his award of an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list back in July, Professor Alan Brook (Emeritus Professor at the University of Buckingham) went to Buckingham Palace last Friday, accompanied by his wife Pat and daughter Cathro, to collect his award. The award, which was presented by Prince Charles, was given for services to the community, especially music and education in Buckinghamshire.

Since his retirement, in 1989, Professor Brook has played an active role in the enrichment of the community life of the Buckingham area. He has devoted an enormous part of his energy and time to this task and is well loved by an enormous number of people in the town of Buckingham and in surrounding villages.

His major contribution has been to the musical life of the community but the local population has benefited from his scientific expertise in a number of ways as well. Professor Brook has been Joint Director of the Buckingham Summer Festival since it was started in 1989 and Chairman of the Buckingham Festival of Music and Drama since 1988. He continues to play a leading role in organising concerts and lectures at the University and has been President of the Buckingham Branch of the University of the Third Age. As many will know, he is always ready to give a talk, play his violin, organise musical events or to help good causes in all manner of ways.

His award is well deserved. The cultural environment of Buckingham would be much poorer without him!

Report by Professor David Pendrill and the Web Team